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138* 


mMi 


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mecs^f'    bCoyuhc.  nenT^0^  }i^€ricm 
^ynz^  J  hie-  ^^M  ri^^i^ 


cojt  5eai|:.  li]i^et  z;ea^ca'  an^aii  hoh-. 


138*  to  Ms  wine  driht;  ne  her  syndon  getere 
de  feorran  cumene  ofer  geofenes  be 
gang  geata  leode  pone  5'ldestan  ore^ 
mecgas  .  beowulf  nemnatS  hy  benan 
Bynt  "^  hie  J)eoden  min  wi6  ]>e  moton 
wordum  wrixlan  not5u  him  wearne 
geteoh  Sinra  gegn  cwida  glaedman 
hro?5gar  hy  onwig  getawum  wyrSe 
finceatS  .  eorla  geaehtlan  hum  se 
aldor  deah  se  ]mem  heat5o  rincum 
hider  wisade  • 

.VI  . 

Hrot5gar  ma])elode  helm  scyldinga 
ic  hine  cuSe  cniht  wesende  waes  his 
ealdfaeder  ecgj^eo  haten  tSaem  to  ha 
forgeaf  hrejjel  geata  angan  debtor 
is  his  eaforan  nu  heard  her  fcumen 
sohte  holdue  wine  .  tJonne  saegdon  "f 
saelifende  ]>ai6e  gif  sceattas  geata 
fyre  don  >yder  to  fance  '^  he  -xxx. 


Transliteration  of  Facsimile  of  fol.  138*  Ms.  Cotton.  Vitellins  A  XV 
in  the  British  Moseum. 


BEOWULB:,,:  ;;:r. 


^n  ^UQXa*^nxon  'gotm, 


THE    FIGHT   AT  riE"NSBUEG. 


TRANSLATED   BY 

JAMES   M.  GARNETT,  M.A.,  LL.D., 

Professor  of  the  English  Language  and  Literature  in  the 
University  of  Virginia;  Translator  op  "Elene" 

AND   OTHER  ANGLO-SaXON   POEMS. 


WitJi  Facsimile  of  the  Unique  Manuscript  in  the  British 
Museum,  Cotton.   Vitellius  A  XV. 


THIRD  EDITION. 


BOSTON,  U.S.A.: 

GINN   &  COMPANY,  PUBLISHEES. 

1895. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1S82,  by 

JAMES  M.  GARNETT, 
in  the  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


Typography  by  J.  S.  Gushing  &  Co.,  Boston,  U.S.A. 
Presswork  by  Ginn  &  Co.,  Boston,  U.S.A. 


So   mu   ^®lif«. 


562r>r>3 


OONTE]!JrTS. 


FASH 

Preface xi 

Preface  to  Second  Edition xv 

Introduction xvil 

Glossary  of  Proper  Names xxxvii 

List  of  Old-English  Words xlv 


Beowulf  anb  Gbendel. 

I. 

Scyld  and  his  descendants.  Hrothgar  and  the  building  of 
Heorot.  The  coming  of  Grendel  and  his  evil  deeds. 
Hrothgar's  great  sorrow 1 

II. 

The  arrival  of  Beownlf.  His  talk  with  the  warden.  His 
reception  by  Hrothgar.    He  makes  known  his  errand  .        6 

III. 
Hunferth's  tannt.    The  swimming-match  with  Breca.    Joy 

in  Heorot 16 

IV. 

Beowulf  and  his  men  occupy  Heorot.    The  coming  of 

Grendel.    The  mighty  contest.    Beowulf's  victory .    .      21 

V. 

Joy  of  the  Danes.    The  minstrel's  song  of  Sigemund  and 

Fitela ;  of  Heremod.    Hrothgar's  thanks  to  Beowulf  .      26 

VI. 

Feasting  and  presents  tn  Heorot.  The  minstrel's  song  of 
Finn,  Hnaef ,  and  Hengest.  Wealhtheow's  greeting  to 
Beowulf.    All  retire  to  rest 81 

vn. 

The  coming  of  Grendel's  mother.  Sorrow  Is  renewed. 
Hrothgar  describes  the  mere.  Beowulf  s  decision. 
His  descent  into  the  mere.  The  fight  with  Grendel's 
mother.    Beowulf's  return,  bearing  Grendel's  head .    .      89 


X  CONTENTS. 

Beowuirs  account  of  the  fight.  Hrothgar's  moralizing 
speech.  On  the  morrow  Beowulf  bids  farewell  to 
Hrothgar,  receives  presents,  and  returns  to  his  ship    .      50 

IX. 

Beowulf's  arrival  at  home  and  welcome  by  Hygelac.  The 
episode  of  Ofiia  and  Thrytho.  Beowulf's  account  of 
his  journey.  Freaware  and  Ingeld.  Presents  of  Beo- 
wulf and  Hygelac 58 


Beowulf  and  the  Dragon. 
X. 
Beowulf  is  king.    The  dragon's  hoard  robbed.    The  fiery 

vengeance  of  the  dragon .    .      67 

XI. 

Beowulf  prepares  for  the  contest.  The  deaths  of  Hygelac 
and  of  Heardred  recalled.  Beowulf's  reminisceuces. 
The  death  of  Herebeald  and  Hrethel's  sorrow.  Beo- 
wuirs  slaying  of  Daeghrefti.  Beowulf  seeks  tlie  dragon 
alone.  The  fiery  fight.  Wiglaf  goes  to  his  help.  The 
wounding  of  Beowulf.  The  death  of  the  dragon.  Wig- 
laf brings  out  the  treasure.    Beowulf's  death  ....      71 

XII. 
Wiglaf  rebukes  the  thanes.  Speech  of  the  messenger.  The 
death  of  Haethcyn,  pursuit  of  Hygelac,  and  death  of 
Ongentheow.  The  warriors  arrive.  Wiglaf 's  speech. 
They  enter  the  cave.  The  ftineral-pyre.  Beowulf's 
mound S6 


Thb  Fight  at  Finnsbttrg. 


Notes 99 


PEEFAOE. 


During  the  session  of  1878-79,  while  reading  '*  Beo- 
wulf "  with  a  post-graduate  class  at  St.  John's  College, 
Annapolis,  Md.,  I  made  a  line-for-line  translation  of  the 
poem  for  my  own  use.  In  reading  the  poem  I  used 
Grein's  text  of  his  separate  edition  (1867j,  and  care- 
fully collated  with  it  the  editions  of  Kemble  (1835), 
Thorpe  (1855),  Arnold  (1876),  and  Heyne  (3d  ed.,  1873), 
which  last  was  in  the  hands  of  the  class.  When  the 
publication  of  this  translation  was  recently  suggested  and 
approved  by  scholars  in  whom  I  had  confidence,  I  revised 
it  carefully,  and  gave  it  as  nearly  as  possible  a  rhythmical 
form,  still  retaining  the  line-for-line  feature.  This  in- 
volves naturally  much  inversion  and  occasional  obscurity, 
and  lacks  smoothness ;  but  it  seemed  to  me  to  give  the 
general  reader  a  better  idea  of  the  poem  than  a  mere 
prose  translation  would  do,  in  addition  to  the  advantage 
of  literalness.  While  it  would  have  been  easy,  by  means 
of  periphrasis  and  freer  translation,  to  mend  some  of  the 
defects  chargeable  to  the  line-for-line  form,  the  trans- 
lation would  have  lacked  literalness,  which  I  regarded  as 
the  most  important  object.  I  retained  Grein's  text,  but 
have  added  Notes  giving  a  translation  of  the  variations 
in  the  text  of  Heyne's  fourth  edition  (1879),  both  on 
account  of  its  importance  as  the  latest  critical  text,  and 
the  fact  that  it  has  just  been  republished  in  this  country, 


Xii  BEOWULF. 

edited  by  Professor  James  A.  Harrison,  of  Washington 
and  Lee  University,  Lexington,  Virginia,  so  that  the 
Anglo-Saxon  text  is  now  easily  accessible  in  inexpensire 
form.  I  retained  also  Grein's  divisions  of  the  poem,  and 
have  added  headings  giving  the  contents  of  each  division. 
I  felt  very  much  the  want  of  an  Anglo-Saxon  dictionary, 
—  the  new  edition  of  Bosworth,  edited  by  Professor 
Toller,  of  Owens  College,  Manchester,  not  yet  having 
been  issued,  —  and  I  was,  therefore,  entirely  dependent 
on  the  German  glossaries  of  Grein  and  He3'ne,  which 
have  been  my  constant  companions.  Their  translations 
have  also  been  referred  to,  especiall}'  in  difficult  passages ; 
but  often  they  do  not  suit  the  editions  used,  as  Grein's 
translation  was  made  from  the  text  in  his  Bibliothek  der 
A.  S.  Poesie  (1857),  and  Heyne's  from  that  in  hia  Jirst 
edition  (1863),  both  of  which  vary  frequently  and  mate- 
rially from  the  later  texts  of  these  writers.  I  have  care- 
fully avoided  using  any  English  translation.  In  respect 
to  the  rhythmical  form,  I  have  endeavored  to  preserve 
two  accents  to  each  half-line,  with  caesura,  and  while 
not  seeking  alliteration,  have  employed  it  purposely 
wherever  it  readily  presented  itself.  I  considered  that  it 
mattered  little  whether  the  feet  were  iambi  or  trochees, 
anapajsts  or  dactj^ls,  the  preservation  of  the  two  accents 
being  the  main  point,  and  have  freely  made  use  of  all  the 
usual  licenses  in  Early  English  verse,  which  are  enumer- 
ated and  discussed  at  length  by  Schipper  in  his  recent 
excellent  work  on  Old-English  Metre.  To  attain  this 
point,  1  have  sometimes  found  it  necessary  to  place 
unemphatic    words    in    accented    positions,   and    words 


PREFACE.  Xiii 

usually  accented  in  unaccented  ones,  which  licenses  can 
also  be  found  in  Early  English  verse.  Illustrations  of 
these  rhythmical  features  might  be  adduced,  but  it  would 
unnecessarily  prolong  this  Preface,  and  the  reader  wUl 
discover  them  for  himself.  While  the  reader  of  modem 
English  verse  may  sometimes  be  offended  by  the  rugged- 
ness  of  the  rhythm,  it  is  hoped  the  Anglo-Saxon  scholar 
will  make  allowances  for  the  difficulty  of  reproducing, 
even  approximately,  the  rh3^thm  of  the  original.  The 
reproduction  of  the  sense  as  closely  as  possible  had  to  be 
kept  constantly  in  view,  even  to  the  detriment  of  the 
smoothness  of  the  rhythm.  In  the  Introduction  I  have 
endeavored  to  give  the  general  reader  some  idea  of  the 
poem,  although  with  greater  brevity  than  I  could  have 
wished;  and  to  further  this  end  I  have  translated,  with 
abridgment  and  a  few  additions,  the  Glossary  of  Proper 
Names  appended  to  Heyne's  edition.  A  few  of  the  Notes 
are  also  explanatory,  and  I  have  usually  followed  Heyne 
in  his  interpretations,  although  where  he  and  Grein  differ 
I  have  given  both  views.  The  question  of  the  composi- 
tion of  the  poem  is  by  no  means  a  settled  one,  but  it 
could  be  barely  touched  upon  in  a  brief  Introduction. 
Criticism  of  the  text  belongs  rather  to  the  editor  than 
to  the  translator,  and  in  important  passages  I  have 
generally  referred  the  reader  to  Heyne's  notes.  I  have 
thought  it  advisable  to  add  as  full  a  Bibliography  as  the 
materials  at  hand  for  its  compilation  permitted ;  but  as  I 
cannot  flatter  myself  that  it  is  complete,  I  shall  be  glad 
to  be  infoimed  of  any  omissions  noticed.  If  I  have 
contributed  in  any  respect  to  bring  before  the  general 


xiv  BEOWULF. 

public  a  knowledge  of  this  most  ancient  and  most 
important  of  Anglo-Saxon  poems,  and  to  create  among 
English-speaking  people  a  desire  for  further  acquaint- 
ance with  our  earliest  literature,  I  shall  be  abundantly 
satisfied. 

My  thanks  are  due  to  Mr.  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Director  of 
the  Early  English  Text  Society,  for  permission  to  publish 
a  facsimile  page  of  the  manuscript  from  the  autotypes 
of  the  Society's  forthcoming  edition  ;  *  to  Professor  Fran- 
cis A.  March,  of  Easton,  Pa.,  for  some  additions  to  the 
Bibliography ;  and  to  Dr.  William  Hand  Browne,  Librarian 
of  the  Johns  Hopkins  University,  Baltimore,  for  affording 
me  every  facility  in  the  use  of  the  Library,  and  for  kindly 
reading  over  a  large  portion  of  the  translation. 

J.  M.  GAKNETT. 
Garnett's  Univkbsitt  Bchool, 
Ellicott  City,  Maryland. 
August,  1882. 


•  This  facsimile  has  been  reduced  to  salt  the  page,  so  that  the  letters  are 
•mailer  than  in  the  original  Ms. 


PEEFACE  TO  THE  SECOND  EDITION. 


In  preparing  for  the  press  this  edition,  I  have  care- 
fully compared  the  translation  with  Professor  Wiilcker's 
critical  text  in  the  first  volume  of  his  edition  of  Grein's 
Bihliothek  der  A,  S,  Poesie,  and,  wherever  necessary, 
with  the  Facsimile  of  the  Manuscript,  edited  by  Professor 
Zupitza  for  the  Early  English  Text  Society,  both  works 
having  appeared  since  the  publication  of  my  first  edition. 
"Wherever  Wiilcker  differs  from  Grein  I  have  added  notes 
showing  the  variations,  and  I  have  also  supplied  omis- 
sions in  the  notes  of  variations  from  Grein  in  the  text 
or  explanations  of  Heyne's  fourth  edition.  "Were  this 
translation  designed  solely  for  the  general  reader,  the 
expenditure  of  time  and  labor  which  the  preparation  of 
the  notes  involved  would  have  been  entirely  unnecessary  ; 
but,  as  it  is  intended  also  for  the  aid  of  students  of  the 
poem,  I  hope  that  this  regard  for  their  interests  may  not 
have  been  mistaken.  I  have  revised  certain  passages 
with  a  view  to  greater  accuracy,  but  I  have  not  changed 
the  plan  of  the  work,  for  that  would  have  necessitated 
the  re-writing  of  the  whole  translation.  The  Anglo-Saxon 
inversions  easily  become  familiar  after  a  little  reading, 
notwithstanding  the  difference  from  the  usual  English 
order.  I  was  happy  to  find  the  plan  of  a  line-for-line 
translation  approved  by  a  distinguished   scholar   whose 


xvi  BEOWULF. 

judgment  I  value  highly,  and  whose  reputation  embraces 
both  sides  of  the  water.  He  writes  :  "  I  think  your  idea 
of  the  kind  of  translation  desirable  is  entirely  right,  and 
you  have  carried  it  out  with  no  wrenching  of  the  modern 
dialect  to  suit  the  old."  While  it  is  not  so  acceptable  to 
the  general  reader  as  a  freer  and  smoother  version  would 
be,  I  still  think  that  it  will  be  more  serviceable  to 
students,  and  the  exhaustion  of  the  first  edition  within 
two  years  from  the  date  of  publication  has  served  to  con- 
firm this  opinion.  I  have  made  some  additions  to  the 
Bibliography,  and  have  noted  in  it  certain  reviews  of  the 
first  edition;  from  some  of  these  I  have  derived  assist- 
ance, for  which  I  desire  to  express  here  my  obligations 

to  the  writers. 

J.  M.  GARNETT. 

TJnivbbsity  op  Virginia,  Va. 
January,  1885. 


PREFACE   TO   THE   THIRD   EDITION. 


As  the  second  edition  of  my  translation  of  "  Beowulf" 
has  been  out  of  print  for  over  two  years,  and  constant 
occupation  has  prevented  me  from  giving  the  text  any 
further  revision,  if  any  is  needed,  I  have  determined  to 
issue  at  once  the  third  edition  to  meet  an  immediate 
demand,  and  have  inserted,  with  some  additions,  the 
bibliographical  titles  that  I  have  collected  during  the 
past  few  years,  which  were  printed  separately  in  1890, 
for  distribution  with  reprints  of  the  second  edition.  The 
full  bibliographies  that  appear  annually  in  the  Jalires- 
bericht  uber  die  Erscheinungen  auf  dem  Gebiete  der  ger- 
manischen  Philologie  and  in  the  Anglia,  and  the  prospec- 
tive translation  of  Wiilker's  well-known  and  excellent 
Grundriss  zur  Geschichte  der  angelsdchsischen  Litteratur, 
with  additions,  will  enable  the  student  of  "Beowulf "  to 
keep  up  with  the  literature  of  the  subject. 

It  is  highly  probable  that  some  titles  are  omitted  from 
this  list  which  should  have  been  inserted.  If  any  such 
are  noticed  by  "Beowulf-students,  I  shall  be  much 
obliged  for  the  information,  with  full  statement  of  title 
and  reference.  I  desire  to  make  this  bibliography  as 
complete  as  possible  to  date.  I  shall  also  be  obliged  for 
information  as  to  auy  revision  of  the  text  that  scholars 


XVIU  PREFACE   TO    THE   THIED   EDITION. 

ma}'  think  desirable,  and  it  will  receive  attention  here- 
after. As  to  rhythmical  revision,  which  some  have  desired, 
that  would  not  be  possible  without  a  re-writing  of  the 
whole  and  a  re-casting  of  the  plates,  and  that  I  cannot 
undertake.  The  translation  has  met  with  a  much  more 
favorable  reception  than  I  anticipated,  and  if  another 
edition  is  called  for,  I  hope  to  improve  it  further. 

I  am  again  indebted  to  the  former  Librarian  of  the 
Johns  Hopkins  University,  Professor  William  Hand 
Browne,  and  his  assistant,  Mr.  H.  C.  F.  Miller,  for 
courteous  attention  in  facilitating  access  to  the  excel- 
lent collection  of  German  and  English  periodicals  in 
the  Library  of  that  University. 

JAMES  M.    GARNETT. 
University  of  Virginia,  Va., 
November,  1891. 


IE"TE0DU0TI01S". 


The  Anglo-Saxon  poem  "  Beowulf"  needs  no  introduc- 
tion to  the  student  of  English  literature,  but  the  general 
reader  may  desire  some  information  about  it  as  an  aid  to 
an  intelligent  interest  in  a  translation  of  the  poem. 

Contents, — Its  subject  is,  in  brief,  the  contest  of  Beo- 
wulf the  Geat,  the  hero  of  the  poem,  with  the  monster 
Grendel,  and  afterwards  with  Grendel's  mother,  and  many 
years  later  with  the  fire-dragon,  whom  he  slays,  but  per- 
ishes in  the  fight.  More  fully,  it  consists  of  an  introduc- 
tion giving  some  account  of  the  genealogy  of  Hrothgar  the 
Dane,  and  of  his  building  the  great  hall  Heorot,  which, 
Grendel  soon  visits  by  night,  and  he  devours  whoever  ven- 
tures to  rest  therein.  This  lasts  for  twelve  years,  until 
Beowulf  the  Geat,  the  thane  of  Hygelac,  and  the  strongest 
of  men,  hears  of  it,  and  comes  to  try  his  strength  with 
Grendel.  His  arrival  by  sea,  introduction  to  Hrothgar, 
and  their  talk,  are  narrated  at  length.  "When  all  retu-e, 
Beowulf  and  his  companions  occupy  the  hall.  Grendel 
soon  comes  and  devours  one,  but  finds  his  match  in  Beo- 
wnlf.  Weapons  are  useless  against  the  monster,  so,  by 
main  strength,  Beowulf  wrenches  Grendel's  arm  from  the 
socket,  and  he  flees  to  the  fen.  In  the  morning  great  was 
the  rejoicing  in  Heorot ;  feasting,  horse-racing,  the  song  of 
the  scop  (minstrel),  mutual  congratulations,  and  presents 
of  Hrothgar  and  his  wife  Wealhtheow  to  Beowulf  occupy 


XX  BEOWULF. 

the  time.  But  the  rejoicing  was  premature,  for  that  night 
comes  GrendeFs  mother  to  avenge  her  son,  and  carries  oflE 
from  the  hall  Aeschere,  Hrothgar's  counsellor.  Mourning 
was  renewed  in  the  morning,  and  Beowulf,  who  had  slept 
elsewhere,  is  sent  for  at  once,  and  determines  to  go  to  the 
mere  in  search  of  the  monster.  He  plunges  into  the  water 
and  descends  to  her  abode,  where  a  violent  struggle  ensues. 
Beowulf's  sword  is  useless,  but  he  finds  in  the  submarine 
chamber  an  old  sword  of  the  giants,  with  which  he  de- 
spatches the  monster,  and  returns,  bringing  with  him 
Grendel's  head  and  the  hilt  of  the  sword,  the  blade  having 
melted  from  the  poisonous  blood.  There  is  more  rejoicing 
in  Heorot,  and  much  talk  as  before,  with  more  presents. 
Soon  after,  Beowulf  takes  his  leave  and  returns  to  the 
court  of  Hygelac,  where  he  is  welcomed  at  length,  and 
shares  his  presents  with  Hygelac  and  his  wife  Hygd. 

Here  occurs  a  long  intermission.  Hygelac  and  his  son 
Heardred  are  dead,  and  Beowulf  has  ascended  the  throne 
and  reigned  fifty  winters.  The  hoard  of  a  dragon  is  robbed 
by  a  fugitive  from  his  master,  and  the  dragon  takes  teiTible 
vengeance  on  the  land,  vomiting  fire  and  consuming  every- 
thing, even  Beowulf's  palace.  Beowulf  resolves  to  risk 
the  contest,  and  goes  with  companions  to  the  fire-dragon's 
haunt.  After  a  long  speech  he  opens  the  fight,  but  his 
companions  flee,  all  except  his  kinsman  Wiglaf ,  and  they 
two  contend  alone.  The  struggle  is  prolonged,  and  Beowulf 
is  wounded,  but  the  dragon  is  finally  killed.  Wiglaf  brings 
treasures  from  the  hoard  for  Beowulf  to  view  before  he  dies, 
for  the  dragon's  bite  is  deadly  poison.  Beowulf  charges 
Wiglaf  to  build  him  a. mound  on  the  Whale's  ness,  and 


INTRODUCTION. 


XXI 


breathes  his  last.  Wiglaf  upbraids  the  thanes  for  their 
cowardice,  and  sends  a  messenger  to  his  other  com- 
rades, who  makes  a  long  speech  on  the  occasion.  They 
join  Wiglaf,  inspect  the  treasure,  commit  BeowulFs  body- 
to  the  funeral-pyre,  and  erect  a  mound,  in  which  the  treas- 
ures are  buried,  in  honor  of  their  king. 

The  above  is  a  brief  summary  of  the  poem,  but  numer- 
ous episodes  are  introduced,  chiefly  in  the  speeches,  though 
some  in  the  narrative,  which  make  considerable  digressions, 
and  interrupt  the  action  of  the  poem.  It  is  sometimes 
difficult,  too,  to  see  their  connection,  and  to  frame  a  con- 
sistent account  of  personages  and  events,  to  which  often 
the  merest  allusion  is  made  ;  but  the  editors,  especially 
Grein  and  Heyne,  have  been  very  successful  in  their 
elucidation  of  obscure  points. 

Date.  —  The  poem  is  preserved  in  but  one  manuscript 
(Cotton.  Yitellius  A  XV)  in  the  British  Museum,  which, 
according  to  palaeographers,  dates  from  the  tenth  century,  ' 
but  the  composition  of  the  poem  is  much  earlier.  The 
allusions  on  which  the  approximate  date  of  the  poem  is 
based  are  two,  namely :  to  the  death  of  Hygelac,  who  has 
been  identified  by  Outzen  and  Leo  with  the  Chochilaicus, 
(or  -lagus),  mentioned  by  Gregory  of  Tours,  and  in  the 
GestaRegum  Francorum,  who  is  said  to  have  been  killed  in 
a  battle  with  the  Franks  in  a.d.  511-12,  which  date  supplies 
the  terminus  a  quo  ;  and  the  mention  of  the  Merovingians 
(1. 2921),  not  later  then  than  a.d.  752,  which  gives  the  termi- 
nus ad  quern.  Allowing  for  the  reigns  of  Heardred  and  Beo- 
wulf, if  historical  personages,  and  the  lapse  of  time  for 
mythical  adventures  to  cluster  around  the  name  of  Beowulf, 


xxii  BEOWULF. 

and  we  bring  down  the  poem  to  the  first  half  of  the  eighth 
century,  though  Heyne  assigns  it  to  the  seventh  century. 

In  any  event,  it  is  the  oldest  extant  heroic  poem  in  an^ 
Germanic  tongue,  aud  gives  the  earliest  representation 
that  we  possess  in  the  vernacular  of  the  life  of  our 
Teutonic  forefathers  in  their  continental  homes. 

Scene.  —  The  scene  is  manifestly  not  in  England,  not- 
withstanding the  ingenious  efforts  of  Haigh,  in  his  ' '  Anglo- 
Saxon  Sagas,**  to  vindicate  an  English  origin  for  it.  It  ia 
in  Denmark,  probably  Zealand,  and  south-west  Sweden, 
as  internal  evidence  and  the  investigations  of  editors, 
especially  of  Grein  (in  Ebert's  Jahrbuch  IV.  3,  260-285), 
have  well  shown.  The  origin  of  the  poem  then  is  Scandi- 
navian, and  it  is  with  Scandinavian  tribes,  manners,  and 
customs  that  we  have  to  do. 

Tribes.  —  The  principal  tribes  mentioned  are  the  Danes, 
known  under  the  various  names  of  North-,  South-,  East-,  and 
West-Danes,  Spear-Danes,  Ring-Danes,  and  Bright-Danes, 
with  their  king  Hrothgar ;  the  Geats,  or  Goths,  known  as 
Weder-Geats  or  Weders,  War-Geats,  Sea-Geats,  with  their 
kings  Hygelac  and  Beowulf;  the  Sweons,  or  Swedes,  with 
their  king  Ongentheow,  and  his  sons  Onela  and  Ohthere ; 
and  the  Frisians,  known  as  North-Frisians,  with  their  king 
Finn,  and  West-Frisians,  and  inhabiting  the  islands  and 
coast  west  of  Jutland.  Fuller  information  is  given  in  the 
*' Glossary  of  Proper  Names." 

Life  of  the  time.  —  Even  if  the  poem  were  composed  in 
the  first  half  of  the  eighth  centuiy,  the  life  depicted  is  that 
of  two  centuries  earlier,  unless  the  writer  transfers  to  those 
times  the  manners  and  customs  of  his  own  day.     We  see 


INTRODUCTION.  xxiii 

the  kibg  and  his  witan  (wise  men) ,  his  war-comrades,  or 
thanes,  constituting  his  comitatus,  and  a  similar  bod}'^  of 
attendants  on  the  great  nobles.  The  king  is  the  ring-giver, 
treasure-giver,  showing  that  he  was  esteemed  according  to 
his  liberality.  The  delight  of  the  people  is  in  deeds  of 
arms  and  of  great  strength ;  Beowulf  has  the  strength  of 
thirty  men.  Equally  prominent  is  the  delight  in  feasting 
in  beer-drinking  even  to  excess,  but  a  relieving  feature  is 
the  song  of  the  minstrel  after  the  feast,  who  relates  old 
sagas,  and  celebrates  the  praises  of  by-gone  heroes  and  even 
of  contemporaries.  The  importance  of  the  scop  cannot  be 
exaggerated.  It  is  he  that  preserves  the  record  of  past 
times,  of  ancestral  glories,  whose  song  enlivens  every  ban- 
quet. The  position  of  woman  must  not  be  overlooked. 
Queen  Wealhtheow  and  her  daughter  Freaware  are  present 
at  the  feast,  and  it  is  the  queen  herself  who  carries  around 
the  mead-cup,  who  welcomes  the  hero  and  bestows  presents 
upon  him.  The  pictures  of  Hygd,  Hildeburg,  and  Thrytho, 
with  her  unenviable  traits  of  character,  show  also  the  im- 
portance and  the  influence  of  noble  women  in  those  da3's. 

The  religious  tone  of  the  work  is  inconsistent.  The 
author  of  the  introduction  tells  us  that  the  Danes  "Knew 
not  the  good  Lord'*  (1.  181),  but  soon  after  Hrothgar 
speaks  of  the  power  of  God  (1.  478) ,  and  later  thanks  God 
for  the  victory  of  Beowulf.  This  doubtless  has  led  Ettmiil- 
ler  to  his  view  in  respect  to  the  composition  of  the  poem, 
the  varying  views  on  which  point  must  be  briefly  noticed. 

Composition,  —  Miillenhoff,  in  Haupt*s  Zeitschrift  fur 
Deutsches  Alterthum,  XXV,  193-244,  (1869),  has  given 
the  result  of  his  twenty  years'  study  of  the  poem.    He  finds 


xxiv  BEOWULF. 

it  to  consist  of  five  parts :  an  introduction,  1-193, 1. 194-836, 
II.  837-1628,  in.  1629-2199,  IV.  2200-3183.  I.  and  IV. 
are  two  old  laj's  by  different  authors ;  to  I.  were  added,  prob- 
ably  by  two  different  hands,  a  continuation  II. ,  and  then  the 
introduction ;  a  third  hand  (A)  added  III. ,  and  at  the  same 
time  interpolated  I.  and  11.  to  suit  it ;  a  fourth  hand  (B) ,  or 
sixth  in  the  series,  added  IV. ,  and  increased  the  whole  by  epi- 
sodes taken  from  other  sagas  and  by  theologizing  additions : 
B  is  the  real  interpolator,  and  except  A  no  other  is  discov- 
erable. Miillenhoff's  view  has  been  subjected  to  a  ver}^  thor- 
ough examination  bj'  Hornburg  (Program  of  the  Lj'ceum 
at  Metz,  1877),  which  does  not  seem  to  be  as  well  known 
as  it  deserves,  with  the  result  that  the  Liedertheorie  is  re- 
jected, and  but  few  passages  regarded  as  interpolated.  A. 
Kohler,  in  Z.  fur  Deutsche  Philologie,  II.  305-321  (1870), 
discussing  the  introduction  and  the  episodes  of  Heremod, 
has  spoken  out  for  the  tlieor3\  Grein,  however,  did  not 
commit  himself  to  it,  nor  has  Heyne  done  so.^  Ettmiiller, 
who  published  the  first  German  translation  of  the  poem  in 
1840,  advanced  an  entirely  different  theory,  and  the  last 
work  of  the  veteran  scholar  was  to  publish,  in  a  Zurich 
University  Program  (1875),^  his  text  of  the  poem  purged 
from  the  interpolations  of  the  West-Saxon  monk,  who,  he 
charges,  revised  the  work  of  the  Angle  poet,  perhaps  a 
heathen,  in  order  to  give  it  a  Christian  tone :  these  exci- 
sions amount  to  nearly  300  lines.    The  Angle  poet  sang  in 


»  See  Prefiice  to  Heyne's  4th  edition,  1879.  Rieger  has  declared  for,  and 
Biiprge  against,  MiillenhofTs  theory. 

*  Carmen  de  Be6vulfl  Gautarum  regis  rebus  praeclare  gestis  atque  inte- 
ritu,  quale  fuerit  antequam  in  manus  interpolatoris,  monachi  Vestsaxoniclf 
Inciderat.    Auctore  Chlodovico  EttmUUero.    Turici,  1875. 


INTRODUCTION.  xxv 

his  vernacular  songs  of  the  exploits  of  Beowulf,  which  had 
been  brought  to  England  from  Scandinavia. 

The  English  editors,  Kemble  and  Thorpe,  give  no  sup- 
port to  the  theory  of  separate  lays,  but  Thorpe  says : 
"From  the  allusions  .to  Christianitj^  contained  in  the  poem, 
I  do  not  hesitate  to  regard  it  as  a  Christian  paraphrase 
of  a  heathen  Saga,  and  those  allusions  as  interpola- 
tions of  the  paraphrast,  whom  I  conceive  to  have  been  a 
native  of  England  of  Scandinavian  parentage,"  thus  re- 
sembling in  principle  the  theory  of  Ettmiiller.  Arnold,  the 
latest  editor,  merely  mentions  Miillenhoff's  theory  to  reject 
it  with  scorn,  but  the  subject  is  one  which  deserves  more 
respectful  treatment.  Some  of  Miillenhoff's  arguments  from 
comparison  of  passages  seem  very  weak,  but  the  poem 
naturall}^  falls  into  three  divisions  :  the  fight  with  Grendel, 
that  with  Grendel's  mother,  and  that  with  the  dragon.  The 
first  two  have  a  close  connection  and  need  not  necessa- 
rily be  separated ;  the  third  is  an  addition  not  well  joined 
to  what  precedes.  The  several  episodes  may  well  have 
been  separate  lays  incorporated  b}'  the  author  of  the  poem. 

There  are  also  probable  interpolations,  especially  in  the 
religious  and  sermonizing  parts,  but  whether  we  can  get  at 
the  original  form  of  the  poem  b}"  cutting  out,  with  Ettmiil- 
ler, every  Christian  allusion,  is  another  matter.  The 
Christian  poet  seems  to  have  united  in  one  whole,  on  the 
basis  of  Beowulf's  adventures,  heathen  songs  as  sung  at 
the  feasts,  and  to  have  been  inferior  in  poetic  power  to 
some  of  his  heathen  predecessors,  for  all  parts  of  the  poem 
are  not  of  equal  poetic  merit.  The  limits  of  this  Introduc- 
tion will  not  permit  a  further  discussion  of  the  subject,  but 


xxvi  BEOWULF. 

it  is  likely  to  prove  *'the  Homeric  question"  of  Anglo- 
Saxon  scholars. 

Metre,  — The  poem  is  written  in  the  usual  Anglo-Saxon 
alliterative  metre,  consisting  of  two  half-lines  separated 
by  caesura,  which,  however,  are  printed  by  Kemble,  Schal- 
demose,  Thorpe,  and  Qrundtvig  as  separate  lines.  The 
normal  law  of  alliteration  is  that  two  accented  initial  syl- 
lables of  words  in  the  first  half-line  and  one  in  the  second 
must  begin  with  the  same  letter,  if  a  consonant,  or  with 
vowels,  as  any  vowel  may  alliterate  with  another.  Some- 
times we  find  only  one  such  alliterating  syllable  in  each 
half-line.  The  laws  of  Anglo-Saxon  alliteration  are  very 
fully  given  by  Schipper  in  his  Englische  Metrik  (I  Theil, 
II  Abschnitt,  Kap.  1),  to  which  the  reader  is  referred. 
He  has  well  shown  that  each  half-line  contains  two 
strongly-accented  syllables,  three  of  which  usually  alliter- 
ate, as  above,  and  the  rest  of  the  syllables  are  unaccented  ; 
in  other  words  he  is,  with  Rieger,  a  strong  advocate  of 
the  Zweihebungstheorie  as  against  the  Vierhebungstheorie 
of  some  other  scholars.  Morris's  remark  in  respect  to 
Early  English  verse  (quoted  by  Schipper,  p.  270),  will 
apply  here:  "It  is  not  the  number  of  syllables,  but  of 
accents,  that  is  essential."    Beowulf,  line  40, 

^^Billum  and  hyrnum!  him  on  bearme  Iceg" 
=  *'  With  bills  and  bumies  1  On  his  bosom  lay,** 

furnishes  the  normal  form  of  the  line,  however  varied  it 
may  be  by  the  usual  licenses  of  Anglo-Saxon  and  Early 
English  verse. 

Bibliography. — The  Beowulf -Ms.  was  first  mentioned 
by  Wanley  in  his  Catalogue  of  Mss.,  published  as  the  sec- 


INTRODUCTION.  xxvii 

ond  volume  of  Hickes's  Thesaurus  of  Old  Northern  Lan- 
guages, Oxford,  1705.  It  was  much  injured  in  the  noted 
fire  of  1731  (bj'  which  many  of  the  Cottonian  Mss.  were 
destroyed) ,  and  some  passages  cannot  now  be  deciphered  ; 
hence  the  resort  to  conjectural  emendation. 

Thorkelin  had  two  copies  of  the  Ms.  made  in  1786,  which 
are  now  in  Copenhagen,  and  their  readings  were  first  given 
in  Grundtvig's  edition,  1861.  Thorkelin's  twenty  years' 
labor  on  his  edition  was  destroyed  by  the  British  bombard- 
ment of  Copenhagen  in  1807,  but  his  copies  of  the  Ms.  were 
saved,  so  he  went  to  work  again,  with  the  aid  of  the  coun- 
sellor Biilow,  and  published  the  first  edition  of  the  poem 
in  1815. 

Meantime  Sharon  Turner,  in  his  History  of  the  Anglo- 
Saxons  (1st  ed.  1803),  had  called  attention  to  the  poem, 
and  in  his  4th  edition  (1823) ,  Vol.  Ill,  Book  IX,  Chap.  II, 
he  gave  an  analysis  of  it,  and  an  English  translation  of 
extracts. 

Some  of  the  titles  which  follow  are  abridged  for  the 
sake  of  convenience. 

Editions  :  — 

Thorkelin,  G.  J,  —  De  Danorum  rebus  gestis  secul.  Ill  et  IV 
poema  Danicum  dialecto  Anglosaxonica.  Havniae,  1815,  with 
Latin  translation. 

Conybearey  J.  J.,  in  his  Illustrations  of  Anglo-Saxon  Poetry, 
London,  1826,  gave  a  collation  of  Thorkelin's  edition  with  the 
Ms.,  making  numerous  corrections,  and  an  EngUsh  blank- 
verse  translation  of  certain  passages,  with  the  A.-S.  text  and 
a  Latin  translation  of  the  same. 

Kemble,  J.  M.  —  The  Anglo-Saxon  Poems  of  Beowulf,  the  Trav- 
eller's Song,  and  the  Battle  of  FinnsLurg.  London,  1833 ;  2d 
edition,  1835-37,  in  two  volumes,  of  which  the  second  (1837) 
contains  a  complete  English  translation. 


xxviii  BEOWULF. 

Schaldemose,  F.  —  Beowulf  og  Scopes  "Widsi^,  to  Angelsaxiska 
Digte.  Copenhagen,  1847;  2d  edition,  1851.  Kemble's  text, 
with  Danish  translation. 

Thorpe,  B.  —  The  Anglo-Saxon  Poems  of  Beowulf,  the  Scop  or 
Gleeman's  Tale,  and  the  Fight  at  Finnsburg,  Oxford,  1855, 
with  Euglish  translation.     Reprinted  in  1875  without  change. 

Grein,  C.  W.  M.  — Bibliothek  der  AngelsSchsischen  Poesie,  Band 
I.    Gottingen,  1857.     Beowulf,  p.  255. 

Grundtvig,  N.  F.  S.  —  Beowulfes  Beorh.  Copenhagen,  London, 
and  Leipzig,  1861.  Contains  collation  of  Thorkeliu's  two 
copies  of  the  Ms.  made  in  1786. 

Heyne,  M.  —  BGOWu\t.  Paderborn,  1863;  2d  ed.,  1868;  3d  ed., 
1873;  4th  ed.,  1879.  Contains  the  best  Glossary.  4th  ed. 
makes  use  of  Kolbing's  collation  of  the  Ms.  Reviewed  by 
Gering  in  Z.  f.  d.  Phil.  XII,  122 ;  and  by  Brenner  in  Englische 
Studien,  IV,  135,  1881,  who  favors  consistent  spelling. 

Grein,  G.  W.  M.  —  Beowulf  nebst  den  Fragmenten  Finnsburg  und 
Waldere.    Cassel  und  Gottiugen,  1867. 

Ettmuller^  L.  —  Carmen  de  Beovulfl  Gautarum  regis  rebus  prae- 
clare  gestis  atque  interitu,  quale  fuerit  antequam  in  manus  in- 
terpolatoris,  monachi  Vestsaxonici,  inciderat.  Turici,  1875. 
Reviewed  by  Snchier  in  Jenaer  Literaturzeitung,  No.  47,  1876; 
and  by  Schonbach  in  Z.  f.  d.  Alt.,  XXI,  Anzeiger  III,  1877. 

Arnold^  Thomas.  —  Beowulf.  A  heroic  poem  of  the  eighth  cen- 
tury, London,  1876,  with  English  translation.  Reviewed  in 
Athenaeum,  July  to  Dec,  1877,  p.  862;  by  Sweet  in  Academy, 
Vol.  XI;  in  Liter.  Centr.,  1877,  No.  20;  and  by  Wulcker  in 
Anglia,  I,  177,  who  finds  much  blameworthy. 

Wulcker  J  B.  P. — Grein's  Bibliothek  der  A.  S.  Poesie.  Neu 
bearbeitet,  u.s.w.  I  Band.  Ite  Halfte.  Kassel,  1881.  Text 
nach  der  Handschr'ft.  Restored  text,  with  critical  notes,  in 
I  Band,  2  te  Halfte.     Kassel,  1883. 

Holder,  A.  —  Beowulf.  I.  Abdruck  der  Handschrift.  2  te  Auf- 
lage.  Freiburg  u.  Tubingen,  1882.  In  Germauischer  Biicher- 
schatz.  Ms.  collated  by  Holder  in  1875,  with  use  of  Thorpe's 
original  collation  in  1830.     II.    Text  and  Glossary,  1884. 

Harrison,  J.  A.,  and  Sharp,  R.  —  Beowulf.  With  text  and  glos- 
sary, on  the  basis  of  M.  Heyne.  Boston  :  Ginn,  Heath,  &  Co., 
1883.    Heyne's  notes  omitted. 

The  Early  English  Text  Society  has  now  published,  under  the 
editorship  of  Professor  J.  Zupitza,  of  Berlin,  a  Facsimile  of 
the  entire  Beowulf-Manuscript.     No.  77.    London,  1882. 


INTRODUCTION.  xxix 

Translations.  In  addition  to  translations  with  the 
editions  mentioned  above,  separate  translations,  some  of 
them  only  partial,  have  been  published  as  follows :  — 

Orundtvig,  N.  F.  /S.  —  Bjowulfs  Drape.  Copenhagen,  1820;  2d 
edition,  1865.     Reviewed  by  J.  Grimm  in  Gott.  Anzoiifer,  1823. 

Leo,  11. — Ueber  Beowulf.     Ilalle,  1839.    Extracts  translated. 

Ettmuller^  L.  —  Beowulf.    Stabreimend  iibersetzt.    Ztirich,  1840 

Wackerharth,  A.  D. — Beowulf,  translated  into  English  verse. 
London,  1849.    Irregular  measures. 

Grein,  C.  W.  M.  —  Dichtungen  der  Angelsachsen,  stabreimend 
Ubersetzt.  2  Bde.  Gottingen,  1857-59.  I  Band.  2  te  Ausgabe, 
1863.  Beowulf,  p.  222.  Not  suited  to  his  separate  ed.  in  some 
passages  owing  to  change  of  text.     2d  ed.  by  Wtilcker,  1883. 

Sandras,  G.  S. — De  carminibus  Caedmoni  adjudicatls.  Paris, 
1859.     Contains  extract  from  Beo^vulf,  with  Latin  translation. 

Simrock,  K.  —  Beowulf.  Uebersetzt  u.  erlautert.  Stuttgart  u. 
Augsburg,  1859.     Preserves  alliteration. 

Heyne^  M.  —  Paderborn,  1863.  In  iambic  verses.  Will  not  suit 
his  4th  edition  in  some  passages  owing  to  change  of  text. 

Von  Wolzogen,  II.  —  Beowulf.  Aus  dem  Angelsachsischen.  Leip- 
zig, n.d.  (1873?).    Preserves  alliteration. 

Botkine,  L. — Beowulf.  Epop6e  Anglo-Saxonne.  Traduite  en 
fran^ais  pour  la  premiere  fois.  Havre,  1877.  Prose,  with  pas- 
sages occasionally  omitted.  Reviewed  by  Korner  in  Englische 
Studien,  II,  248,  1879,  who  proposes  emeudations. 

Lumsden,  H.  W.  —  Beowulf,  translated  into  modern  rhymes. 
London,  1881.  Ballad-measure  used,  and  passages  occasionally 
omitted.  Reviewed  in  Athenaeum,  Jan.  to  June,  1881,  p.  587; 
Academy,  Vol.  XIX;  by  Garnett,  J.  M.,  in  Amer.  Jour,  of 
Philology,  II,  355 ;  and  by  Wiilcl^er  in  Anglia,  Anz.  IV,  69. 
Second  edition,  revised  and  corrected,  1883. 

General  Works,  Essays,  Dissertations,  and  Maga- 
zine Articles  :  — 

Kemble,  J.  M. — Ueber  die  Stammtafel  der  Westsachsen.  Munich, 
1836.    Reviewed  by  J.  Grimm  in  Getting.  Anzeiger,  1836. 

Grundtvig,  N.  F.S.,  —  in  Barfods  Brage  og  Idun,  IV,  481.  (1841.) 

Haigh,  D.  H.  —  The  Anglo-Saxon  Sagas.  London,  1861.  At 
tempts  to  find  in  England  the  places  mentioned  in  Beowulf. 

HeynCy  M.  —  Ueber  die  Halle  Heorot.    Paderborn,  1864. 


XXX  BEOWULF. 

Botkine,  L. — Beowulf.  Analyse  historique  et  ggographlque. 
Paris,  1876.  Replaced  by  the  introduction  to  his  translation. 
Reviewed  by  Korner  in  Englische  Studien,  I,  495. 

Dederich,  H. — Hist.  u.  geogr.  Studien  zum  A.  S.  Beowulfliede. 
Koln,  1877.  Follows  MuUenhoff.  Reviewed  by  MuUenhoff  in 
Z.  fiir  d.  Alterthum  (Neue  Folge,  IX.  3),  XXI,  Anzeiger  III; 
by  Suchier  in  Jenaer  Literaturzeitung,  No.  47,  1876 ;  and  by 
Korner  in  Englische  Studien,  I,  481.  See  also  Revue  Critique, 
No.  52,  1876. 

Ilornburg.  —  Die  Composition  des  Beowulf.  Program  of  the 
Lyceum  in  Metz,  1877.  Opposes  MuUenhoff.  Reviewed  by 
Hummel  in  Ilerrig's  Archiv,  LXII,  231. 

Nader,  E.  —  Zur  Syntax  des  Beowulf.  Two  Programs  of  the 
Staats-Ober-Realschule  in  Brunn,  1879-80.  Reviewed  by  Bern- 
hardt in  Literaturblatt  fiir  germ.  u.  rom.  Philologie,  1880,  p.  439. 

Schubert.  —  De  Anglosaxonum  arte  metrica.  Berol.,  1870.  Op- 
posed in  his  Gottingen  Dissertation  by 

Vetterf  F.  —  Ueber  die  Germanische  Alliterationspoesie.  Vien- 
na, 1872;  and  Zum  Muspilli,  u.s.w.  Vienna,  1872. 

Behrmann.  —  Essay  on  Anglo-Saxon  Poetry.  Program  of  the 
Hohere  BUrgerschule  in  LUbben,  1876. 

Eieger^  M. — Die  Alt- u.  Angel-sachsische  Verskunst.  Halle, 
1876,  and  in  Z.  fur  d.  Philologie,  VII.  1.  (1876.) 

Schipperj  J.  —  Englische  Metrik.  I  Theil.  Altenglische  Metrik. 
Bonn,  1882.     Section  II  treats  the  Anglo-Saxon  Period. 

Grein,  C.  W.  M.  —  Die  historischen  Verhaltnisse  des  Beowulflie- 
des.  Ebert's  Jahrbuch  fiir  rom.  und  engl.  Literatur,  IV,  260, 
(1862).    Standard  authority. 

Kolhing,  E.  —  Zur  Beowulf-handschrift.  Herrig's  Archiv  fiir 
das  studium  der  neueren  sprachen,  LVI,  91,  (1876).  Complete 
collation  of  the  Ms.  Sievers  and  Zupitza  have  also  collated 
the  Ms. 

Schultze,  M,  — Ueber  das  Beowulf  slied.  Program  of  Realschule  at 

Elbing,  1864.  Contents  noted  in  Herrig's  Archiv,  XXXVII,  232. 

J      Schultze,  M. — Altheidnisches  in  der  A.  S.  poesie,  speciell  ira 

Beowulfsliede.    Berlin,  1877.    See  Revue  Critique,  1877,  No. 

32 ;  and  Ausland,  No.  31. 

Cosijn,  P.  J.  —  Beowulf.    Taalkundige  Bijdragen,  I,  286. 

Schroder^  L.  —  Om  Bjowulfs-drapen.     Copenhagen,  1875. 

Arnheim,  Dr.  —  Ueber  das  Beowulflied.  Bericht  tiber  die 
Jacobsonsche  Schule  zu  Seesen,  1867-71. 


/ 


INTRODUCTION.  xxxi 

Afuller,  iV".  —  Die  mythen  des  Beowulf  in  ilirera  verhaltniss  zur 

germ,  mythologie  betrachtet.     Deutsclie  Studienblatter  von 

Roltsch,  III,  13  and  14. 
Kolhing,  E.  —  Kleine  Beitrage.     Kolbing's  Englisclie   Studien, 

III,  92;  zu  Beowulf,  168. 
Suchier,  H. — Ueber  die  Sage  von  Offa  und  Thrytho.     Paul  und 

Braune's  Beitraege,  IV.  500. 
Skeat,  W.  TF.  — The  Name  Beowulf.     Academy,  1877,  I.  103. 
Bugge,  S.  —  Til  de  oldengelske  digte  om  Beowulf  og  Waldere. 

Tidskrift  for  Philologi   og   Padagogik,  VIII.   40   and  287, 

1869-70. 
Vigfusson,  G.  —  Grettis  Saga,  in  Prolegomena  to  his  Sturlunga 

Saga  (2  vols.  Oxford,  1878)  I.  p.  xlviii,  and  in  Icelandic  Prose 

Reader  (Oxford,  1879),  pp.  209  and  404. 
Gering,  H.  —  Der  Beowulf  und  die  Islandische  Grettissaga,  in 

Anglia,  III.  74  (1880). 
Smith  J  C.  Sprague.  — Beowulf  Gretti,  in  New  Englander  IV.  49 

(Jan.  1881). 
Ettmuller,  L.  —  Altnordischer  Sagenschatz.     1870. 
Heinzel.  —  Ueber  den  Stil  der  altgermanischen  Poesie.     Stras- 

burg,  1875.    Opposed  by 
Gummere,  F.  B.  —  The  Anglo-Saxon  Metaphor.  Freiburg-Disser-     t^ 

tation.   Halle,  1881. 
Schulz,  F.  —  Die  Sprachformen  des  Hildebrandsli'^des  im  Beo- 

vulf.    Program  of  Realschule  in  Konigsberg,  i6t<2. 
March,  F.  A.  —  The  World  of  Beowulf.     Proceedings  of  the     '*' 

Amer.  Phil.  Association,  1882. 
Zeitschrift  fur  deutsches  AUerthum.     (Haupt.) 

V.  10.  —Haupt,  M.  —  Zum  Beowulf. 

VII.  410.  —  Mullenhoff,  K.  —  Scedf  und  seine  Nachkommen.       ^ 

VII.  524.  —  Bachlechner,  J.  —  Die  Merovinge  im  Beowulf. 

XI.  59.— Bouterwek,  K.  W.  — ZurKritik  des  Beowulf liedes, 
1859. 

XI.  176.  — Rieger,  M.  — Ingaevonen,  Istaevonen,  Herrainonen. 

XI.  272.  —  Miillenhoff,  K.  —  Zur  Kritik  des  A.  S.  Volksepos. 

XI.  409.  —  Dietrich.  —  Rettungen.     1859. 

XII.  259  —  Mullenhoff,     K.  —  Zeugnisse    und    Excurse    zur 
deutschen  Heldensage.     ]  865. 

XIV.  193.  —  Miillenhoff,  K.  —  Die  innere  Geschichte  des  Beo-     ^ 
wulfs.     (1869.)    Pronounces  strongly  in  favor  of  separate 
lays. 


xxxii  BEOWULF. 

Zeitschrift  fur  deutsche  Philologie.     (Ilopfner  und  Zacher.) 
^  II.  305.  —  Kohler,  A.  — Die  Einleituns:  des  Beowulf liedes,  and 
Die  beiden  Episoden  von  Heremod.     1870. 

II.  371.  —  Rieger,  M.  —  Review  of  Heyne's  2d  edition  (1868). 

III.  381.  —  Rieger,  M.  — Zum  Beowulf.     1871. 

IV.  192.  —  Bugge,  S.  —  Zum  Beowulf.     1873. 
Germania.     (Pfeiffer.^) 

I.  297  and  455.  —  Bachlechner,  J.  — Eomacr  und  Ilemiug  (Ilain- 

lac). 
I.  384.  —  Bouterwek.  K.  —  Das  Beowulf  lied.    Eine  Vorlesung 

1856. 
VIII.  489.  —  Holtzmann,  A.  —  Zu  Beowulf.     (Textkritik.) 
XIII.  129. — Kohler,  A.  —  Germanische  Altcrthumcr  im  Beo- 
wulf. 
Anglia,  IV.  69.  — "Wtilcker,  R.  P.  —  Besprecaung  der  Beowulf iiber- 
setzungen,  im  anschluss  an  Lumsden's  translation.    Full  and 
serviceable  account  of  the  translations  of  "  Beowulf." 

Extracts  from  "Beowulf"  may  be  found  in 
Leo's  Alt>  sach.  n.  A.  S.  Sprachproben.     Halle,  1838. 
Klipstein's  Analecta  Anglosaxonica.     New  York,  1848.     Vol.  II. 
Ettmuller's  Engla  and  Seaxna  scopas  and  boceras.    Quedliuburgii 

et  Lipsiae,  1851.  —  Ebeling's  A.  S.  Lesebuch.     Leipzig,  1847. 
Riegefs  Alt-  und  angelsachsiches  Lesebuch.     Giessen,  1861. 
March's  Anglo-Saxon  Reader.    New  York,  1870. 
SweeVs  Anglo-Saxon  Reader.     Oxford,  1876;   2d  edition,  1879; 

3d  edition,  1881 ;  4th  edition,  1884. 

Literary  notices  and  criticism  of  "Beowulf*  may  be 
found  in  the  usual  histories  of  English  literature,  the  full- 
est, perhaps,  in  Morley's  English  Writers,  Vol.  I.,  Part 
I.,  London,  1867;  also  in  his  First  Sketch  of  English 
Literature,  London,  1873,  very  brief;  and  more  fully  in 
his  Longer  Works  in  English  Verse  and  Prose,  London, 
1881,  (Chap.  I.).  Add  D'Israeli's  Amenities  of  Liter- 
ature ;  Sweet's  Introduction  to  Warton's  History  of 
English  Poetry  (Vol.  XL,  Hazlitt's  edition) ;  Craik,  a  mere 
mention ;   Taine,  more  full ;   Arnold's  Manual  of  English 


INTRODUCTION.  xxxiii 

Literature  (English  edition)  ;  Brother  Azarias's  develop- 
ment of  English  Literature :  Old  English  Period,  New 
York,  1879,  (reviewed  by  Wiilcker  in  Anglia,  IV.  3)  ;  ten 
Brink's  Geschichte  der  Englischen  Literatur,  I,  Berlin, 
1877,  the  best  criticism,  (reviewed  by  Wiilcker  in  Anglia, 
I.  201)  ;  Hart's  Syllabus  of  Anglo-Saxon  Literature, 
adapted  from  ten  Brink,  Cincinnati,  1881 ;  Metcalfe's 
The  Englishman  and  the  Scandinavian,  London,  1880, 
(reviewed  by  Sweet  in  Academy,  May  29,  1880)  ;  Gibb's 
Gudrun  and  other  Tales,  a  popular  synopsis  ;  and  mere 
mention  in  the  ordinary  text-book  histories  of  English 
literature,  such  as  Spalding,  Angus,  Shaw  (English  edi- 
tion corrected  by  American  editor),  Copp^e,  and  others, 
which  it  is  scarcely  worth  while  to  enumerate,  for  their 
notices  are  often  so  meagre  as  to  be  useless,  and  some- 
times so  incorrect  that  it  would  have  been  better  to  omit 
them. 

The  reader  may  consult  also  the  article  *' Beowulf"  in 
Chambers's  Cyclopedia,  published  in  this  country  in  the 
Library  of  Universal  Knowledge.  The  latest  (ninth)  edi- 
tion of  the  Encyclopaedia  Britannica  has  no  such  separate 
title,  but  "Beowulf  "  is  included  in  the  article  on  English 
Literature. 

The  above  Bibliography  has  been  compiled  from  various 
sources,  and  especially  from  the  valuable  Bibliographies 
annually  published  in  connection  with  the  above-mentioned 
German  philological  journals,  and  from  the  book-notices 
of  the  journals  themselves. 


XXXlV  BEOWULF. 

Additions  to  the  Bibliography. 

Editions. — The  completion  of  Wiilcker's,  Holder's,  and 
Harrison  and  Sharp's  editions  of  the  text  is  noted  above, 
and  the  publication  of  the  E.  E.  T.  Society's  Facsimile 
of  the  Ms.,  which  is  to  be  followed  by  a  critical  text  from 
Zupitza,  with  translation  from  Napier.  The  late  Prof. 
Miillenhoff  was  to  supply  the  accompanying  dissertations 
on  the  composition  and  the  mythological  and  historical 
elements,  for  the  E.  E.  T.  Society's  edition. 

Translations.  —  Lumsden's  second  edition  is  noted 
above  ;  also  Wiilcker's  second  edition  of  Grein's  transla- 
tion, Cassel,  1883,  reviewed  by  Th.  Kriiger  in  Englische 
Studien,  VIII,  139,  1884 ;  and  the  following  are  to  be 
added : — 

Zinsser,  G.  —  Der  Kampf  Beowulf s  mit  Grendel.  Probe  einer 
metrischer  tibersetzung  des  A.  S.  epos  Beowulf.  Jahresbericlit 
of  the  Realschule  at  Forbach,  1881.  Reviewed  in  Ilerrig's 
Archiv,  LXVIII,  446. 

Grion,  Giusto.  —  Beoviilf,  poema  epico  anglo-sassone  del  VII 
secolo,  tradotto  e  illustrato.  Lucca,  1883.  Dagli  Atti  dell' 
Accademia  Lucchese,  Vol.  XXII.   The  first  Italian  translation. 

General  Works,  Dissertations,  Etc.,  in  which  dis- 
cussions of  *'  Beowulf,"  or  references  to  it,  may  be 
found  are :  — 

Outzen.  —  Ueber  das  A.  S.  Beowulf s  Gedicht.  Kieler  Blatter, 
III,  312,  1816. 

Kemble,  J.  M.,  and  Wright,  T.,  in  the  Gentleman's  Magazine  for 
1834  and  1835,  a  controversy. 

De  Larenaudiere,  P.,  and  Michel,  F. — Anglo-Saxonica,  I  and  II, 
1836  and  1837;  the  former  a  translation  of  Wright's  Anglo- 
Saxon  Language  and  Poetry,  with  criticism  of  "  Beowulf," 
and   the   latter   containing   Kemble's    textual   criticisms    of 


INTRODUCTION.  xxxv 

Grimm  and  Conybeare,  prefixed  to  Michel's  Bibliotheca 
Anglo-Saxonica,  q.v. 

Bask,  E.  —  Grammar  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  Tongue,  translated  by 
B.  Thorpe,  1830.     New  edition,  1879. 

Taylor,  W.  —  Historic  Survey  of  German  Poetry,  3  vols.,  1830. 

Guest,  ^.  —  History  of  English  Rhythms,  2  vols.,  1838.  Edited 
by  W.  W.  Skeat  in  1  vol.,  1882.  Reviewed  by  J.  M.  Garuett 
in  Am.  Jour,  of  Philology,  IV,  478,  1883.  (Cf.  also  my  review 
of  Schipper's  Englische  Metrik,  I,  in  Am.  Jour,  of  Philology, 
III,  355,  1882.) 

[Longfellow,  H.  W."]  —  Anglo-Saxon  Literature.  N.  Am.  Review, 
XLVII,  No.  100,  for  July,  1838 ;  and  his  Poets  and  Poetry  of 
Europe.    New  edition,  1871. 

Petheram,  J.  —  Historical  Sketch  of  Anglo-Saxon  Literature  in 
England,  1840. 

Wright,  T.  —  Biographia  Britannlca  Literaria,  Vol.  I,  Anglo- 
Saxon  Period,  1842  ;  his  Celt,  Roman,  and  Saxon,  1852 ;  2d 
edition,  1875 ;  and  his  Essays  on  the  Literature,  etc.,  of  the 
Middle  Ages,  2  vols.,  1846. 

Lappenberg,  J.  M.  —  History  of  England  under  the  Anglo-Saxon 
Kings.     Translated  by  B.  Thorpe,  2  vols.,  1845. 

Heimskringla.    Edinburgh  Review,  LXXXII,  No.  166,  for 

Oct.,  1845.     Contains  brief  notice  of  Anglo-Saxon  poetry. 

Kemble,  J.  M.  —  Saxons  in  England,  2  vols.,  1849. 

Green,  J.  22.  — The  Making  of  England,  1882. 

Grundtvig,  N.  F.  S.  —  Norden's  Mythologi,  1808  ;  2d  edition, 
1832;  3d  edition,  1869;  and  his  Dannewirke,  1817,  II,  284, 
containing  identification  of  Chocilaicus  with  Hygelac.  (Cf. 
Kriiger,  in  Englische  Studien,  VIII,  137,  with  Thorpe's  Intro- 
duction, p.  xxvi,  note.) 

Grimm,  J.  —  Deutsche  Mythologie,  1835;  2d  edition,  1844;  3d 
edition,  1854 ;  4th  edition,  by  E.  H.  Meyer,  3  vols.,  1875,  trans- 
lated by  J.  S.  Stallybrass,  London,  1880,  sqq.;  also  his  Kleinere 
Schriften,  II,  211,  and  IV,  178,  5  vols.,  1864-70;  and  his 
Geschichte  der  Deutschen  Sprache,  4th  edition,  1880. 

Mone,  F.  J.  —  Untersuchungen  zur  Geschichte  der  teutschen 
Heldensage,  1836. 

Grimm,  W.  —  Die  Deutsche  Heldensage.  2d  edition,  by  K.  Miil- 
lenhoff,  1867. 

Simrock,  K.  —  Handbuch  der  Deutschen  Mythologie,  1878. 

Wagner,  W. — Deutsche  Heldensage,  1881;  and 


V" 


XXXVl  BEOWULF. 

Wagner,  TF.,  and  McDowall,  M.  W.  —  Epics  and  Romances  of  the 

Middle  Ages,  1883. 
Weinhold.  —  Altnordisches  Leben,  1856. 
EUmuller,  L.  —  Handbucli  der  Deutschen  Literaturgeschichte, 

1847. 
Earle,  J.  —  Anglo-Saxon  Literature,  1884.     Reviewed    in  The 

Nation,  No.  1002,  Sept.  11,  1884. 
Mullenhoff,  K.  —  Die  Austrasische  Dietrichssage,  Haupt's  Zeit- 

schrift,  VI,  437,  1848  ;    and  Der  Mythus  von  Beowulf,  VII, 

419,  1849. 
Lichtenheld,  A.  —  Das  schwache  Adjectiv  im  Angelsachsischen, 

Haupt's  Zeitschrift,  XVI,  ,^25,  1873. 
Arndt,  0.  —  Ueber  die  altgermanische  epische  Sprache.    Pader- 

born,  1877. 
Bernhardt,  E.  —  Zur  Gotischen  Casuslehre,  II.    Zeitschrift  fur 

Deutsche  Philologie,  XIII,  1,  1881. 
Nader,  E.  —  Der  Genetiv  ira  Beowulf.    Program  of  the  Staats- 

oberrealschule  in  Brunn,  1882 ;    reviewed  by  Klinghardt  in 

Englische  Studien,  VI,  288,   1883  ;    and  Dativ  und   Instru- 
mental im  Beowulf.     Jahresbericht  of  the  Vienna  communal 

Oberrealschule,  1882-83 ;  reviewed  by  Klinghardt  in  Englische 

Studien,  VII,  368,  1884. 
Hotz,  G.  —  On  the  Use  of  the  Subjunctive  Mood  in  Anglo-Saxon, 

and  its  further  history  in  Old  English.     Ztirich,  1882.     Re- 
viewed by  Wissmann  in  Literaturblatt  fiir  germ,  und  rom. 

Philologie,  IV,  2,  February,  1883. 
Schemann,  K.  —  Die  Synonyma  im  Beowulfsliede,  mit  Riicksicht 

auf  Composition  und  Poetik  des  Gedichts.     Hagen,    1882. 

Reviewed  by  Kluge  in  Literaturblatt,  IV,  2,  February,  1883. 
Schemann,  K.  —  Beowulf.     Antichissimo  poema  epico  de'  popoli 

Germanici.   Giornale  Neapolitano  di  fllosofia  e  lettere,  scienze 

morale  e  politiche,  IV,  Vol.  VII,  63,  175. 
Hoffmann,  A.  —  Der  bildliche  Ausdruck  im  Beowulf  und  in  der 

Edda.    Englische  Studien,  VI,  163,  1883. 
Moller,  H,  —  Das  altenglische  Volksepos  in  der  urspriinglichen 

strophischen  Form.    I,  Abhandlungen.    II,  Texte.    Kiel,  1883. 

Reviewed  by  Heinzel  in  Zeitschrift  fiir  deutsches  Alterthum, 

XXVIII  (XVI),  215,  1884. 
Ronning,  F.  —  Beovulf s-Kvadet.      En  literaer-historisk  under- 

sogelse.    Copenhagen,  1883.     Reviewed  by  Heinzel  in  Z.  ftir 

d.  Alterthum,  XXVIII  (XVI),  233,  1884. 


INTRODUCTION.  xxxvii 

Kluge,   F.  —  Sprachhistorische   Miscellen.      Paul  und  Braune,    >^ 
Beitrage,  VIII,  532,  1882 ;  and  Zum  Beowulf,  IX,  187,  1883. 

Cosijn,  P.  J.  — Zum  Beowulf.   Paul  und  Braune,  VIII,  508,  1882.      • 

Sievers,  E,  —  Zum  Beowulf.     Paul  und  Brauue,  IX,  135  and  370,    ^ 
1883. 

Merbot,  E.  —  Aesthetische  Studien  zur  angelsachsichen  Poesie.  v 
Breslau,  1883.     Cf.  Anglia,  VI,  Anzeiger,  100. 

Kruger,  Th.  —  Ueber  Ursprung  und  Entwickelung  des  Beowulf- 
liedes.  Herrig's  Archiv,  LXXI,  129,  1884 ;  and  Zum  Beowulf- 
liede.  Program  des  stadtischen  Realgymnasiums  in  Bromberg, 
1884.  Both  useful  summaries  of  the  literature  and  present 
state  of  "Beowulf"  criticism.  The  latter  contains  also  re- 
marks on  the  metre. 

Reviews  of  the  first  edition  of  this  translation  which 
deserve  mention  here  will  be  found  in  The  Nation,  No. 
919,  Feb.  8,  1883  ;  the  American  Journal  of  Philology, 
IV,  84,  by  J.  A.  H.,  with  which  compare  my  letter,  IV, 
242,  1883  ;  Literaturblatt  fiir  germanische  und  roman- 
ische  Philologie,  IV,  No.  10,  Oct.,  1883,  by  James  W. 
Bright;  Anglia,  Anzeiger  VI,  120,  1884,  by  J.  Schipper ; 
and  Englische  Studien,  VIII,  133,  1884,  by  Th.  Kruger, 
the  fullest  criticism. 

Each  year  adds  to  "Beowulf"  literature  in  Germany; 
Denmark,  Holland,  France,  and  now  Italy,  have  shown 
their  appreciation  of  this  great  poem ;  England  and 
America  have  supplied  texts  and  translations,  but  have 
been  content  to  leave  criticism  to  Germany,  for,  since 
Kemble,  no  thorough  criticism  of  this  ancestral  heirlooiH 
has  proceeded  from  an  Englishman  or  an  American. 


Further  Additions  to  the  Bibliography. 


Editions. 

Harrison,  J.  A.,  and  Sharp,  R. — Beowulf,  2d  ed.,  revised,  Boston, 
1885  ;  3d  ed.,  corrected  and  enlarged,  1888  ;  4th  ed.,  revised,  with 
notes,  1894. 
Sodn,  ^.  — Heyne's  Beowulf,  6th  ed.,  Paderbom  and  Miinster,  1888. 
Rev.  by  E.  Sievers  in  Z.  fur  d.  Philologie,  XXI,  354-365 ;  and  by 
B.  Heinzel  in  Z.  fUr  d.  Alterthum,  XXIII,  Anzeiger,  XV,  189-194. 

Translations. 

Wickherg,  i?.  — Beowulf,  en  fornengelek  hjeltedikt,  ofersatt.    Wes- 
tervik.    The  first  Swedish  translation. 

Essays,  Dissertations,  and  Histories  of  Literaturb. 

Earle, «/.  — Beowulf.    Canadian  Monthly,  II,  83,  1872. 

Beowulf.    Household  Words,  XVII,  459. 

Beowulf.    London  Times,  Weekly  ed.,  Oct.  9,  1885. 

Gibh,  John.  —  Gudrun,  Beowulf,  and  Roland,  2d  ed.,  London,  1883. 

Rev.  in  Revue  Critique,  No.  49,  1883. 
Powell,  F.  York-. — Recent  Beowulf  Literature  (Harrison,  Holder, 

Lumsden).    Academy,  No.  648,  Oct.  4,  1884. 

Harrison's  "  Beowulf."    Academy,  No.  654,  Nov.  15,  1884. 

Harrison,  J.  A.  — Beowulf.    Academy,  No.  653,  Nov.  8,  1884. 
List  of  Irregular  (Strong)  Verbs  in  "Beowulf."    Amer. 

Journal  of  Philology,  IV,  462,  1883. 
Old  'Teutonic  Life  in  "Beowulf."     Overland  Monthly, 


July,  1884,  1-21. 

Bright,  J.  W.  —  Review  of  Harrison  and  Sharp's  "Beowulf,"  1st 
ed.    Litteraturblatt  ftir  germ,  und  rom.    Philologie,  June,  1884. 

Skeat,  W.  TF.  —  The  Monster  Grendel  in  "Beowulf,"  with  a  Discus- 
sion of  Lines  2076-2100.  Journal  of  Philology,  No.  29,  XV, 
120-131. 

xxxviii 


^ 


BEOWULF.  XXXIX 

Gummere,  F.  B.  —  The  Translation  of  '♦  Beowulf."    Amer.  Journal 

of  Philology,  VII,  46-78,  1886. 
Tolman,  A.  H.  —  The  Style  of  Anglo-Saxon  Poetry.     Transactions 

of  the  Modern  Language  Association  of  America,  Vol.  Ill,  1887. 
Schilling,  H.  —  The    Finnsburg-Fragment    and    the    Finn-Episode. 

Mod.  Lang.  Notes,  II,  291,  June,  1887. 
Corson,  II.  —  A  Passage  of  Beowulf  [2724  ff.].    Mod.  Lang.  Notes, 

III,  193,  April,  1888. 
Davidson,  OAas.  —  Differences  between  the  Scribes  of  **  Beowulf." 

Mod.  Lang.  Notes,  V,  85  and  378,  Febr.  and  June,  1890. 
McClumpha,  Chas.  F.  —  Differences  between  the  Scribes  of  "Beo- 
wulf."   Mod.  Lang.  Notes,  V,  245,  April,  1890. 
Fahlbeck,  P.^— Beovulfsqvadet,  Sasom  kalla  for  nordisk  f ornhistoria. 

Antiquarisk  Tidskrift  for  Sverige,  VIII,  1-87,  1884(?).    Rev.  in 

The  A(;aderay,  No.  713. 
Hertz,  IV.  —  Beowulf,  das  alteste  germanische  Epos.    Nord  und  Sud, 

XXIX,  229-253,  May,  1884. 
Hirt,  H.  —  Untersuchungen  zur  west-germanischen  verskunst.    Heft 

I.  Kritik  der  neuern  theorien.  Metrikder  A.-S.     Leipzig,  1889. 
Lehmann,  H.  —  Briinne  und  helm  im  angelsachsischen  Beowulf liede. 

Leipzig,  1885.     Rev.  by  R.  Wiilker  in  Anglia,  VIII,  Anzeiger,  167 ;  ^ 

and  by  A.  Schulz  in  Englische  Studien,  IX,  471. 
Ueber  die  waffen  im  angelsachsischen  Beowulfliede.    Ger-  v^ 

mania,  XXXI  (XIX),  486-497. 
Banning,  A.  —  Die  epischen  Formeln  im  Beowulf.    I.  Die  verbalen   v 

Synonyma.    Doctor-dissertation,    Marburg,  1886. 
Bode,    W.  —  Die    Kenningar    in    der    angelsachsischen    Dichtung.   v 

Strassburger  dissertation.    Darmstadt  and  Leipzig,  1886. 
Kohler,  K.  —  Der  syntaktische  Gebrauch  des  Inflnitivs  und  Particips 

im  Beowulf.     Doctor-dissertation.     Munster,  1886. 
Schneider,  P. —  Der  Kampf  mit   Grendels   Mutter.     Program  des 

Friedrichs-Realgymnasiums.     Berlin,  1887. 
Kruger,  Th.  —  Zum  Beowulf.     Paul  and   Braune's  Beitrage,  IX,   / 

571-5.8. 
Sievers,  F.  —  Zur  rhythmik  des  germ,  alliterations  verses. 

I.  Vorbemerkungen.    Die  metrik  des  Beowulf.   P.  &  B.,  X,  209-314. 

II.  Sprachliche  ergebnisse.   P.  &  B.,  X,  451-545. 

Die  heimat  des  Beowulf-dichters.    P.  &  B.,  XI,  354-362. 

Altnordisches  im  Beowulf  ?     P.  &  B.,  XII,  168-200.  / 

Der  angelsachsische  Schwellvers.    P.  &  B.,  XII,  454-482. 


3C1  BEOWULF. 

Sarrazin,  G.  —  Der  schauplatz  des  ersten  Beowulfliedes  und  die 
heimat  des  dichters.    P.  &  B.,  XI,  159-183. 

. Altnordisches  im  Beowulfliede.    P.  &.  B.,  XI,  528-541. 

. Die  Beowulf  sage  in  Danemark.    Anglia,  IX,  195-199,  1886. 

Beowa  und  Bothvar.    Anglia,  IX,  200-204. 

Beowulf  und  Kynewulf.    Anglia,  IX,  515-550. 

Beowulf -Studien.    Berlin,  1888.    Kev.  by  E.  Sievers  in  Z. 

fiir  d.  Philologie,  XXI,  366 ;  by  R.  Heinzel  in  Z.  fur  d.  Alterthum, 
XXIII,  Anzeiger,  XV,  182-189 ;  by  R.  Wiilker  in  AngUa,  XI,  536- 
539 ;  and  by  F.  Dieter  in  Herrig's  Archiv,  83,  352. 

Bugge,  S.  —  Studien  iiber  das  Beowulf  epos.  P.  &  B.,  XII,  1-80,  and 
360-375. 

KUtredge,  G.—Zu  Beowulf,  107  ff.     P.  &  B.,  XIII,  210. 

ten  Brink,  B.  —  Beowulf.  Untersuchungen.  Quellen  und  Forschun- 
gen,  62.  Strassburg  and  London,  1888.  Rev.  by  R.  Heinzel  in  Z. 
fiir  d.  Alterthum,  XXIII,  Anzeiger,  XV,  153-182;  by  E.  Koeppel 
in  Z.  fur  d.  Pliilologie,  XXI,  113-122;  by  H.  Moller  in  Englische 
Studien,  XIII,  247-315 ;  and  by  R.  Wulker  in  Anglia,  XI,  319-321. 

Mullenhoff,  K.  —  Beowulf.  Untersuchungen.  Berlin,  1889.  Rev. 
by  R.  Heinzel  in  Z.  fur  d.  Alterthum,  XXIII,  264-275;  and  by 
E.  Koeppel  in  Z.  fur  d.  Philologie,  XXI,  110-113. 

Other  reviews  of  Sarrazin's,  ten  Brink's,  and  MullenhoflTs  works  will 
be  found  noted  in  the  Jahreshericht  fur  die  Erscheinungen  aufdem 
Gebiete  der  germanischen  Philologie  for  1888,  1889,  and  1890. 

Nader,  E.  — Tempus  und  Modus  im  Beowulf.  Anglia,  X,  542-563, 
1888,  and  XI,  444-499,  1889. 

Miller,  Thos.  —  The  Position  of  Grendel's  Arm  in  Heorot.  Anglia, 
XII,  396-400,  1889. 

Zupitza,  J.  —  Zu  Beowulf,  850.     Herrig's  Archiv,  84,  124,  1890. 

Kennedy,  H.  M.  —  Translation  of  ten  Brink's  '•  Early  English  Litera- 
ture."   New  York,  1883.     German  edition  noted  before. 

Robinson,  W,  Clarke.  —  Introduction  to  our  Early  English  Litera- 
ture.   London,  Durham,  and  Heidelberg,  1885. 

Engel,  E.  —  Geschichte  der  englischen  Litteratur.    Leipzig,  1883. 

Wulker,  B.  —  Grundriss  zur  Geschichte  der  angelsachsischen  Litter- 
atur. Leipzig,  1885.  An  indispensable  work.  English  transla- 
tion, with  additions,  in  preparation. 

Ehert,  ^.  — Allgemeine  Geschichte  der  Litteratur  des  Mittelalters 
im  Abendlande,  Vol.  IIL    Leipzig,  1887. 

3foW€j/,  fl".  — English  Writers.  New  ed..  Vol.  L  London,  1887.  Cf. 
my  review  in  Mod.  Lang.  Notes^  III,  380,  June,  1888. 


BEOWULF. 


Xli 


Deskau,  H,  —  Zum  Studium  des  Beowulf.  Berichte  des  f reien 
deutschen  Hochstiftes,  1890. 

Joseph^  E.  —  Zwei  Versversetzungen  im  Beowulf.  Z.  fur  d.  Phi- 
lologie,  XXII,  385-397. 

Klopper,  C.  —  Heorot-Hall  in  the  Anglo-Saxon  Poem  of  "  Beowulf." 
Festschrift  fur  K.  E,  Krause.    Rostock. 

Sarrazin,  G.  —  Entgegnung.  Englische  Studien,  XIV,  421-427,  a 
reply  to  E.  Koeppel's  review  of  Sarrazin's  Beowulf -Studien,  Eng. 
Stud.,  XIII,  475.   Cf.  Koeppel's  answer,  Eng.  Stud.,  XIV,  427-432. 

Schr'oer,  A.  —  Zur  Texterklarung  des  Beowulf.  Anglia,  XIII,  333- 
348,  1890. 

Sievers,  E.  —  Zur  Texterklarung  des  Beowulf.  Anglia,  XIV,  133- 
146,  1891. 

Gametic  J.  M. — The  Translation  of  Anglo-Saxon  Poetry.  Publica- 
tions of  the  Modern  Language  Association  of  America,  Vol.  VI, 
No.  3,  1891. 

Davidson,  Chas.  —  The  Phonology  of  the  Stressed  Vowels  in  **  Beo- 
wulf." Publications  of  the  Modern  Language  Association  of 
America,  Vol.  VI,  No.  3,  1891. 

Erdmann,  A.  —  Ueber  die  Heimat  und  den  Namen  der  Angeln. 
Upsala,  1890-91. 

Horning,  E.  L.  —  Zur  Grammatik  des  Beowulf.  Gottingen  Doctor- 
Dissertation,  1891. 

Cosijn,  P.  J.  — Aanteekeningen  op  den  Beowulf.     Leiden,  1892. 

Earle,  J.  —  The  Deeds  of  Beowulf.  A  prose  translation,  with 
introduction  and  notes.     Oxford,  1892. 

Hall,  J.  L.  —  Beowulf,  translated  from  the  Heym-Socin  text.  Boston, 
1892.     Rev.  by  O.  Glode,  Englische  Studien,  XIX,  257. 

Sarrazin,  G.  —  Die  Abfassungszeit  des  Beowulfliedes.  I.  Anglia, 
XIV,  399-415,  1892. 

Brooke,  S.  A.  —  The  History  of  Early  English  Literature,  Chs.  II-V. 
New  York  and  London,  1892. 

Hoffmann,  P.  —  Beowulf.  Aeltestes  deutsches  Heldengedicht.  Aus 
dem  Angelsachsischen  iibertragen.  Ztillichau,  1893.  Rev.  by 
O.  Glode,  Englische  Studien,  XIX,  412. 

Todt,  A.  — Die  Wortstellung  im  Beowulf.  Anglia,  XVI,  226-260, 
1893. 

Wyatt,  A.  J.  —  Beowulf.  Edited  with  textual  foot-notes,  etc.  Cam- 
bridge, 1894.  Rev.  by  H.  Bradley,  Academy,  No.  1160,  July  28, 
1894. 


xlii  BEOWULF. 

The  Fight  at  Finnsburg. 

This  fragment  was  discovered  by  Hickes,  bound  with 
a  manuscript  of  Homilies,  in  the  archiepiscopal  library  of 
Lambeth,  and  was  first  published  by  him  in  his  Thesau- 
rus linguarum  veterum  septentrionalium,  I,  192.  It  has 
been  since  published  by  Conybeare  in  his  Illustrations 
of  Anglo-Saxon  Poetry,  Ettmiiller  in  his  Scdpas  and 
Bdceras,  and  by  Kemble,  Schaldemose,  Thorpe,  Grundt- 
vig,  Grein,  and  Heyne  in  their  editions  of  ''Beowulf." 
From  its  contents  it  relates  evidently  to  the  episode  of 
Finn,  occurring  in  "Beowulf,"  1068-1159,  but  there  is 
no  reason  to  think  that  it  ever  formed  a  part  of  that 
poem.  It  contains  some  fuller  particulars  of  that  noted 
fight,  and  introduces  personages  not  mentioned  in  "Beo- 
wulf.** It  represents  Hnaef  the  Dane  and  his  sixty 
warriors  defending  themselves  in  a  building  against  the 
attack  of  Finn,  and  so  connects  itself  with  the  first  part 
of  the  episode  of  Finn,  before  the  fall  of  Hnaef  and  the 
leadership  of  Hengest.  Heyne's  Glossary  omits  the  words 
and  proper  names  peculiar  to  this  poem,  and  it  is  not 
translated  by  either  Grein  or  Heyne.  The  leaf  on  which 
it  was  written  is  lost,  so  that  the  text  depends  on  Hickes*s 
publication.  The  text  is  given  also  in  Klipstein's  Ana- 
lecta  Anglo-Saxonica,  Vol.  II,  p.  426  ;  Rieger's  Lesebuch  ; 
Wiilcker's  Kleinere  A.  S.  Dichtungen  (18<S2),  and  his 
edition  of  G rein's  Bibliothek^  Vol.  I.  A  criticism  of  the 
text  by  Grein  is  in  Germania,  X ;  a  Latin  translation  in 
Conybeare  ;  English,  in  Conybeare,  Thorpe,  and  Haigh ; 
Danish,  in  Grundtvig's  and  Schaldemose's,  and  German, 
in  Ettmiiller*  s  and  Simrock's  translations  of  "  Beowulf.** 


6L0SSAEY  OF  PEOPER  NAMES. 


Aelfhere.  —  A  kinsman  of  Wiglaf. 

Aeschere.  —  A  counsellor  of  Hrothgar,  elder  brother  of  Yrmen* 

laf .     Slain  by  Grendel's  mother. 

Beanstan.  —  Father  of  Breca. 

Beowulf  (1).— A  Dane.  Son  of  Scyld,  and  father  of  Healf- 
dene. 

Beowulf  (2).  — AGeat.  Hero  of  the  poem.  Son  of  Ecgtheow  and 
a  daughter  of  Hrethel,  king  of  the  Geats,  at  whose  court 
he  was  brought  up.  Though  indolent  in  his  youth,  when 
a  man  he  has  the  strength  of  thirty  men,  and  is  noted  for 
his  prowess.  Has  a  swimming-match  with  Breca  in  his 
youth.  Goes  with  fourteen  Geats  to  help  Hrothgar  against 
Grendel,  whom  he  conquers,  and  is  rewarded  by  Hrothgar. 
Overcomes  Grendel's  mother  and  returns  home.  After 
Hygelac's  death  in  battle  with  the  Franks,  Frisians,  and 
Hugs,  from  which  Beowulf  escapes  after  killing  Daeghrefn, 
the  Hug,  he  acts  as  regent  for  Heardred,  Hygelac's  son,  and 
after  his  death  Beowulf  succeeds  to  the  throne.  He  kills 
Eaclgils  the  Scylflng  in  revenge  for  the  murder  of  Heardred, 
and  probably  subdues  his  land.  Fights  with  the  dragon, 
and  kills  him,  but  receives  a  mortal  wound.  His  death  and 
burial  end  the  poem. 

Breca.  —  Son  of  Beanstan.  Prince  of  the  Brondings.  Has  a 
swimming-match  with  Beowulf. 

Brondings.  —  A  tribe  whose  ruler  is  Breca. 

Brosinga  mene.  — A  noted  necklace,  or  collar,  which  the  Bro- 
sings  once  possessed.    (See  Arnold's  Excursus.) 

Cain*  —  Grendel's  race  are  his  descendants. 

Daeghrefn.  —  A  warrior  of  the  Hugs,  who  seems  to  have  been 
the  murderer  of  Hygelac.     Was  killed  by  Beowulf. 

Danes.  —  As  subjects  of  Scyld  and  his  descendants,  called  also 
Scyldings,  and  after  Ing,  first  king  of  the  East-Danes,  Ing- 
wine;  also  once,  Hrethmen.     From  their  shining  armor 

zliii 


xliv  BEOWULF. 

called  Gd.r-  (Spear-)  Danes,  Hiring-  (Ring-)  Danes,  and 
Beorht-  (Bright-)  Danes;  known  also  as  North-,  South-, 
East-,  and  West-Danes.  They  dwell  in  Scedelands,  Scede- 
nig,  by  two  seas,  i.e. ,  Zealand  and  southern  coast  of  Sweden. 

Ecglaf.  —  Father  of  Hunf erth. 

Ecgtheow.  —  Father  of  Beowulf  the  Geat,  of  the  family  of  the 
Waegmundings.  Slew  Heatholaf  among  the  Wylfings,  and 
hence  crosses  the  sea  to  the  Danes,  whose  king,  Hrothgar, 
settles  the  quarrel  with  a  money-payment. 

Ecgwela.  —  The  Scyldings  are  called  his  descendants.  Grein 
considers  him  the  founder  of  the  older  dynasty  of  Danish 
kings,  which  ended  with  Heremod. 

Elan.  —  Daughter  of  Healfdene,  and  supposed  to  be  the  wife  of 
Ongentheow,  the  Scylfing. 

Eama  naes*  —  The  Eagles'  ness  in  the  land  of  the  Geats,  at 
which  Beowulf's  fight  with  the  dragon  took  place. 

Eadgils.  —  Son  of  Ohthere,  and  grandson  of  Ongentheow. 

Eaha.  —  A  Dane,  companion  of  Huaef  and  Hengest.  Finns- 
burg,  1.  15. 

Eanmand.  —  Brother  of  Eadgils.  What  is  stated  about  these 
two  sons  of  Ohthere  is  not  altogether  clear,  and  is  dififer- 
ently  interpreted  by  editors,  according  asfrednd  (friend)  or 
fednd  (enemy)  is  read  in  line  2393.  Heyne  reads  feSndt 
and  says  that  Eanmund  and  Eadgils  rebelled  against  their 
father,  and  were  driven  from  the  Sweons'  kingdom  (Swe- 
den). They  went  to  Heardred,  probably  with  hostile  intent. 
At  all  events  Heardred  was  slain  at  a  feast  by  one  of  them, 
presumably  Eanmund,  for  Weohstan  slays  him  in  revenge 
for  his  murdered  king,  and  takes  the  arms  presented  to 
Eanmund  by  his  uncle  Onela.  After  the  death  of  Heardred 
and  Eanmund,  Eadgils  returns  to  his  home,  his  father, 
Ohthere,  having  died  meanwhile,  but  must  yield  to  Beowulf, 
who  has  ascended  the  throne.  He  makes  an  inroad  later 
into  the  land  of  the  Geats,  and  is  killed  by  Beowulf,  who 
assumes  the  rule  over  the  Sweons,  if  we  read  Scylfingas^ 
3005,  which  alone  seems  to  give  good  sense,  for  Ms.  ScyU 
dingas.  Grein  reads  frednd^  2393,  and  understands  that 
Eadgils  returns  to  his  country,  supported  by  Beowulf,  with 
an  army,  kills  his  uncle,  Onela,  and  probably  becomes  him- 
self king  of  the  Sweons.  Heyne's  view  seems  more  con- 
sistent with  the  preceding  statements,  but  is  inadmissible, 
as  it  is  contrary  to  the  Ms.  reading  in  2893. 


GLOSSARY  OF   PROPER   NAMES.  xlv 

Eofor.  —  A  Geat.  Son  jt  Wonred,  and  brother  of  Wulf .  Killa 
Ongentheow,  and  Hygelac  gives  him  his  only  daughter  in 
marriage,  and  other  gifts. 

Eormenric.  —  King  of  the  Goths.  Hama  stole  from  him  the 
Brosinga  mene. 

Eomaer.  —  Son  of  Offa  and  Thrytho. 

Finn.  —  Son  of  Folcwalda,  king  of  the  North-Frisians  and  Jutes, 
and  husband  of  Hildeburg,  daughter  of  Hoce.  He  is  the 
hero  of  the  song  on  the  Fight  at  Finnsburg,  which  is  closely 
connected  with  the  minstrel's  song  in  "  Beowulf,"  11.  1068 
et  seqq.  Heyne  explains  the  sequence  of  events  as  follows  : 
Hnaef ,  a  Dane,  and  probably  brother  of  Hildeburg,  is,  with 
his  following  of  sixty  men,  a  guest  of  Finn  at  his  city, 
Finnsburg  in  Jutland.  The  Danes  are  treacherously  at- 
tacked at  night  by  Finn's  men.  They  hold  the  doors  of 
their  besieged  dwelling  for  five  days  without  losing  a  man : 
then  Hnaef  is  slain,  and  Hengest  takes  command  of  the 
•Danes.  But  Finn's  band  has  sufiered  severely :  Hildeburg 
mourns  for  a  son  and  a  brother.  The  Frisians  ofier  the 
Danes  peace  on  certain  conditions,  which  are  sworn  to,  and 
Finn  makes  restitution  by  a  money-payment.  Now,  accord- 
ing to  Grein,  all  who  have  survived  the  fight  go  together  to 
Friesland,  Finn's  proper  residence,  and  Hengest  stays 
through  the  winter,  detained  by  ice  and  storms.  But  in 
the  spring  the  feud  breaks  out  afresh.  Guthlaf  and  Oslaf , 
who  have  probably  been  sent  for  as  aid,  avenge  Hnaef 's 
death,  the  hall  is  filled  with  the  corpses  of  their  foes,  Finn 
himself  is  slain,  his  queen  taken  prisoner,  and,  with  the 
plundered  treasures,  is  carried  to  the  Danes'  land.  (See 
also  Arnold's  Excursus.) 

Finna  land.  —  The  land  of  the  Finns.  Beowulf  reaches  it  in  his 
swimming-match  with  Breca. 

Finnsburg.  —  The  city  of  Finn,  probably  in  Jutland. 

Fitela.  —  Son  of  the  Waelsing  Sigemund  and  his  sister  Signy, 
and  Sigemund's  companion  in  fight.  The  Sinfiotli  of  the 
Volsunga  Saga.  (See  William  Morris's  Sigurd  the  Volsung, 
Book  I.) 

Folcwalda.  —  Father  of  Finn. 

Franks.  —  King  Hygelac  is  killed  in  an  expedition  against  the 
Franks,  Frisians,  and  Hugs. 

Frisians.  —  Divided  into  North-Frisians,  whose  king  is  Finn, 
and  West-Frisians,  in  alliance  with  the  Franks  and  Hugs. 


xlvi  BEOWULF. 

FreswaeL  —  The  battle-place  in  North-Friesland  where  Hnaef 
fell,  according  to  Grein ;  but  the  Ms.  reading  is  Fr . ,  es  wed. 
so  Heyne  defines  it  simply  as  an  illegible  proper  name. 

Freaware.  —  Daughter  of  Hrothgar,  married  to  Ingeld,  son  of 
Froda,  king  of  the  Heathobards,  to  appease  a  quarrel  be- 
tween the  Danes  and  the  Heathobards. 

Froda.  —  Father  of  Ingeld,  and  king  of  the  Heathobards. 

Garmund.  —  Father  of  Oflla,  and  grandfather  of  Eomaer. 

Garnlf.  —  One  of  Finn's  men.    Finnsburg,  11.  18,  31. 

Geats.  —  A  people  in  southern  Scandinavia.  Called  also  Weder- 
( Weather-)  Geats  or  Weders,  Gu"^-  (War-)  Geats,  and  Sce- 
(3ea-)  Geats.  Their  kings  are  Hrethel,  his  sons  Haethcyn 
and  Hygelac,  his  son  Heardred,  and  then  Beowulf,  hero  of 
the  poem. 

Gifths.  —  Probably  Gepidae,  mentioned  along  with  the  Spear- 
Danes  and  Sweons,  or  Swedes. 

Grendel.  —  A  demon  of  the  fens,  of  Cain's  race.  He  breaks  into 
Hrothgar's  hall  at  night  and  carries  ofi*  thirty  men.  This 
goes  on  for  twelve  years,  until  Beowulf  fights  with  him, 
and  inflicts  a  deadly  wound  by  tearing  out  his  arm,  which 
Is  placed  on  the  roof  of  Heorot  as  a  sign  of  victory. 
Grendel's  mother,  to  avenge  her  son,  breaks  into  the  hall 
,  the  following  night  and  carries  off  Aeschere.  Beowulf 
seeks  her  dwelling-place  in  the  mere,  fights  with  her,  and 
kills  her,  cuts  off  the  head  of  Grendel,  and  brings  it  to 
Hrothgar. 

Gnthhere.  —  One  of  Finn's  men.    Finnsburg,  1.  20. 

Guthlaf  (1) .  —  A  Dane,  with  Hnaef  and  Hengest.  Finnsburg,  1. 18. 
(2). —A  Frisian,  father  of  Garulf.   Finnsburg,  1.  35. 

Halga. — Younger  brother  of  Hrothgar,  and  father  of  Hrothulf. 

Hama.  —  Stole  the  Brosinga  mene  from  Eormenric. 

Haereth.  —  Father  of  Hygd,  wife  of  Hygelac. 

Haethcyn.  —  Second  son  of  Hrethel.  Accidentally  kills  his 
eldest  brother  Herebeald  with  an  arrow.  Succeeds  to  the 
kingdom  after  Hrethel's  death,  and  falls  in  battle  at  the 
Ravens*  wood  against  the  Swedish  king  Ongentheow. 

Helmings. — Family  to  which  Wealhtheow,  Hrothgar's  wife, 
belongs.  ^ 

Heming.  —  Offa  and  Eomaer  are  called  Heming's  kinsmen.  Ac- 
cording to  Bachlechner  {Germania  /,  468),  Heming  Is  a  sis- 
ter's son  of  Garmund,  father  of  Offa. 


GLOSSARY  OF  PROPER  NAMES.  xlvii 

Hengest.  —  A  Dane,  who  takes  command  after  Hnaef  s  death. 
Finnsburg,  1.  19.     (See  Finn.) 

Herebeald.  —  Eldest  son  of  Hrethel,  accidentally  killed  with  an 
arrow  by  his  biother  Haethcyn. 

Heremod.  —  King  of  the  Danes,  not  belonging  to  the  dynasty  of 
the  Scyldings,  but,  according  to  Grein,  perhaps  to  the  one 
immediately  preceding.  "Was  banished  on  account  of  his 
unheard-of  cruelty. 

Hereric. — Uncle  of  Heardred,  otherwise  unknown. 

Hetwars.  —  Franks,  which  see.    Probably  Chatti  or  Chatuarii. 

Healfdene.  —  Son  of  Beowulf  the  Scylding,  and  king  of  the 
Danes,  whom  he  long  rules.  Has  three  sons,  Heorogar, 
Hrothgar,  and  Halga,  and  a  daughter,  Elan. 

Heardred.  —  Son  of  Hygelac  and  Hygd.  Though  still  a  minor, 
succeeds  his  father,  and  Beowulf,  his  father's  nephew,  acts 
as  regent  until  he  is  of  age.  Is  slain  by  the  sons  of 
Ohthere,  which  murder  Beowulf  avenges  afterwards  on 
Eadgils. 

Heathobards.  —  The  tribe  of  Lombards.  Their  king  Froda  fell 
in  war  with  the  Danes.  To  appease  the  feud  Hrothgar 
marries  his  daughter  Freaware  to  Froda's  son  Ingeld,  but 
this  does  not  succeed,  for  Ingeld  afterwards  avenges  his 
father's  death  on  the  Danes. 

Heatholaf. — A  warrior  of  the  Wylfings,  slain  by  Ecgtheow, 
Beowulf's  father. 

Heathoremes.  —  Breca  reaches  their  land  in  the  swimming- 
match  with  Beowulf. 

Heorogar.  —  Son  of  Healfdene,  and  father  of  Heoroweard. 
Beowulf  receives  his  cuirass  from  Hrothgar,  and  presents 
it  to  Hygelac. 

Heoroweard.  —  Son  of  Heorogar. 

Heorot.  —  Hrothgar's  great  hall,  built  with  extraordinary  mag- 
nificence. Beowulf's  fight  with  Grendel  takes  place  in  it. 
It  takes  its  name  from  the  stag's  antlers  which  adorn  the 
eastern  and  western  gables. 

Hildebnrg.  —  Daughter  of  Hoce,  kinswoman  of  Hnaef ,  wife  of 
Finn,  after  whose  fall  she  is  led  into  captivity  by  the 
Danes. 

Hnaef.  —  A  Hoeing,  chieftain  of  Healfdene.     (See  Finn.) 

Hondscio.  —  A  warrior  of  the  Geats,  killed  by  Grendel. 

Hoee.  —  Father  of  Hildeburg,  and  probably  of  Hnaef. 


xlviii  BEOWULF. 

Hrethcl.  —  King  of  the  Geats,  son  of  Swerting.  His  daughter 
Is  married  to  Ecgtheow,  and  his  sons  are  Herebeald,  Haeth- 
cyn,  and  Hygelac.  He  grieves  to  death  on  account  of  tlie 
accidental  shooting  of  Herebeald  by  Haethcyn. 

Hrethla.  —  Same  as  Hrethelj  former  possessor  of  Beowuirs 
cuirass.     . 

Hrethmen.  —  The  Danes. 

Hrethric.  —  Son  of  Hrothgar  and  Wcalhtheow. 

Hreosna-beorh  (-monnt)  •  —  Promontory  in  the  land  of  the 
Geats,  where  Onela  and  Olithere  made  inroads  into  tlie 
land  after  Hrethel's  death,  which  was  the  cause  of  the  war 
in  which  Haethcyn  fell. 

Hrothgar.  —  Of  the  dynasty  of  the  Scyldings.  Second  of  the 
three  sons  of  Healfdene,  and  king  of  the  Danes.  His  wife 
is  Wealhtheow,  his  sons  Hrethric  and  Hrothmund,  and  his 
daughter  Freaware,  married  to  Ingeld.  His  great  hall, 
Heorot,  is  nightly  visited  by  Grendel,  who,  with  his  mother, 
is  killed  by  Beowulf,  for  which  Hrothgar  gives  Beowulf 
costly  presents.  He  is  praised  as  liberal,  brave,  and  wise. 
Other  events  of  his  reign  are  merely  alluded  to. 

Hrothmnnd.  —  Son  of  Hrothgar  and  Wealhtheow. 

Hrothnlf.  —  Probably  a  son  of  Halga.  Wealhtheow  expresses 
the  hope  that,  in  case  of  Hrothgar's  death,  he  will  be  a  good 
guardian  to  her  son,  which  hope  does  not  seem  to  be  ful- 
filled, for  Hrothulf  did  not  keep  faith  with  Hrothgar. 

Hmnting.  —  Name  of  Hunf erth's  sword. 

Hngs.  —  Tribe  united  with  Franks  and  Frisians.  Probably  the 
Chauci. 

Hunfcrth.  —  Son  of  Ecglaf ,  and  orator  of  Hrothgar.  Killed  his 
brothers.  Lent  his  sword  Hrunting  to  Beowulf  in  the  fight 
with  Grendel's  mother. 

Hnnlafling.  —  According  to  Heyne,  name  of  a  costly  sword  which 
Finn  gives  to  Hengest.  According  to  Grein,  name  of  one 
of  Finn's  warriors,  who  slays  Hengest.  Heyne's  view 
seems  the  most  probable. 

Hf gd.  —  Daughter  of  Haereth  and  wife  of  Hygelac.  Her  noble 
character  is  praised  in  the  episode  of  Thrytho. 

Hygelac. — King  of  the  Geats.  Son  of  Hrethel,  grandson  of 
Swerting,  and  uncle  of  Beowulf.  Comes  to  the  throne 
after  his  brother  Haethcyn  is  killed  by  Ongentheow.  Gives 
his  only  daughter  in  marriage  to  Eof or  as  reward  for  kill- 


GLOSSARY  OF  PROPER  NAMES.  xlix 

Ing  Ongentheow.  We  afterwards  find  him  married  to  the 
young  Hygd,  so  that  she  seems  to  be  his  second  wife. 
Heardred  is  their  son.  Falls  in  an  expedition  against  the 
Franks,  Frisians,  and  Hugs. 

Ingeld.  —  Son  of  Froda,  prince  of  the  Heathobards,  who  falls  in 
a  fight  with  the  Danes,  and,  to  appease  the  quarrel,  Hroth- 
gar  marries  his  daughter  Freaware  to  Ingeld,  but,  urged 
by  an  old  warrior,  he  afterwards  takes  revenge  for  the 
death  of  his  father. 

Ingwine.  —  Friends  of  Ing,  first  king  of  the  East-Danes,  hence 
used  as  a  name  for  the  Danes. 

Jutes  {Eotenas).  —  A  people  of  Jutland,  over  whom  the  Frisian 
king  Finn  rules.* 

Merwings.  —  Name  of  the  Franks,  still  ruled  by  the  Merovingian 
kings. 

Modthrytho.  —  See  Thrytho. 

Xaegling.  —  Name  of  Beowulf's  sword. 

Offa.  —  King  of  the  Angles.  Son  of  Garmund.  Married  to 
Thrytho,  a  beautiful  but  cruel  woman. 

Ohthere.  —  Son  of  Ongentheow,  and  father  of  Eanmund  and 
Eadgils. 

Onela.  —  Brother  of  Ohthere. 

Ongentheow.  —  King  of  the  Sweons,  or  Swedes,  of  the  dynasty 
of  the  Scylflngs.  His  wife  is  perhaps  Elan,  daughter  of 
Healfdene.  She  (or  a  second  wife)  is  taken  prisoner  by 
Haethcyn  on  a  raid  into  Sweden,  and  released  by  Ongen- 
theow, who  kills  Haethcyn,  and  besieges  the  Geats  in 
Raven's  wood,  from  which  siege  they  are  delivered  by 
Hygelac.  In  the  battle  which  ensues  Ongentheow  is  at- 
tacked by  the  brothers  Wulf  and  Eof or,  and  slain  by  the 
latter. 

Ordlaf.  —  A  warrior  of  Hnaef  and  Hengest,  who  holds  the  doors 
with  Guthlaf.    Finnsburg,  1.  18. 

Oslaf.  —  A  warrior  of  Hengest,  who  revenges  his  death  on  Finn. 

Scedeland,  Scedenig,  —  The  southern  portion  of  the  Scandina- 
vian peninsula,  belonging  to  the  Danes,  and  used  to  denote 
the  Danish  kingdom  in  general. 

Scef.  —  Father  of  Scyld. 

•  In  bis  4th  ed.  Heyne  no  longer  takes  Eotenas  as  a  proper  name,  but  same  as 
eo<on= giant,  and  explains  it  as  a  hurtful  foe,  used  sometimes  of  the 
Danes,  and  sometimes  of  the  Frisians. 


1  BEOWULF. 

Scyld.  — Father  of  Beowulf  the  Dane,  and  grandfather  of  Healf- 
dene.  At  his  death  his  body  is  committed  to  an  orna- 
mented vessel  and  given  to  the  sea,  just  as  he,  when  a 
child,  had  been  brought  to  the  Danes'  land. 

Scyldings.  —  Name  of  the  Danes,  and  of  the  dynasty  by  which 
they  are  ruled.  The  Danes  are  called  also  Ar-  (Honor-) 
Scyldings,  Sige-  (Victory-)  Scyldings,  The6d-  (Folk-) 
Scyldlngs,  and  Here-  (Army-)  Scyldings. 

Scylflngs.  —  A  Swedish  royal,  family,  whose  relationships  ex- 
tend to  the  Geats  also,  as  Wiglaf,  son  of  Weohstan,  and 
kinsman  of  Beowulf,  is  called  a  Waegmunding  and  a  prince 
of  the  Scylflngs.  The  Scylfings  are  called  also  Hea^o- 
(Battle-)  Scylfings  and  G^«-  (War-)  Scylfings. 

Secgs.  —  Name  of  a  tribe  to  which  Sigef erth  belongs.  Finns- 
burg,  1.  26. 

Sigeferth.  —  A  warrior  of  Hnaef  and  Hengest,  who  holds  the 
doors  with  Eaha.    Finnsburg,  1.  17. 

Sigemnnd.  —  Son  of  Waels.  Fitela  is  his  son  and  nephew. 
Fights  with  the  dragon,  kills  him,  and  robs  the  hoard. 
(See  William  Morris's  Sigurd  the  Volsung,  Book  I.) 

Swerting,  —  Grandfather  of  Hygelac. 

Sweons.  —  The  Swedes,  ruled  over  by  the  Scylfings. 

Thrytho.  —  Wife  of  Ofl*a,  king  of  the  Angles,  and  mother  of 
Eomaer,  known  for  her  fierce  and  cruel  disposition,  so 
forming  a  contrast  to  the  gentle  and  lovable  Hygd.  This 
OflU  lived  about  the  middle  of  the  4th  century.  (See 
Heyne's  note  to  1927,  Suchier  in  Paul  and  Braune's  Bei- 
traege,  IV.  600,  and  Grein  in  Ebert's  Jahrbuch,  IV.  279, 
who,  however,  takes  the  name  to  be  Modthrytho,  but 
Thrytho,  as  given  by  Heyne  and  others,  suits  better.) 

Waegmundings.  —  This  family  includes  Weohstan  and  his  son 
Wiglaf,  Ecgtheow  and  his  son  Beowulf.  They  are  a  branch 
of  the  Scylfings. 

Waels.  —  Father  of  Sigemund. 

Waras.  —  Name  of  a  people  mentioned  in  1.  461,  for  which  Heyne 
reads  Weders. 

Wealhtheow.  —  Wife  of  Hrothgar,  of  the  race  of  the  Helmings 
and  mother  of  Hrethric,  Ilrothmund,  and  Freaware. 

Weders.  —  Name  of  the  Geats. 

Weland.  —  The  noted  smith,  maker  of  Beowulf's  cuirass. 


LIST  OF  OLD-ENGLISH  WORDS.  li 

Wendlas.  —  A  tribe  whose  chief  is  Wulfgar.  According  to 
Grundtvig  and  Bugge,  they  dwelt  in  Wendill,  the  most 
northern  district  of  Jutland.    Probably  Vandals. 

Weohstan.  —  A  Waegmunding.  Father  of  Wiglaf .  He  is  the 
slayer  of  Eanmund,  in  revenge  for  his  murdered  king 
Heardred. 

Wiglaf,  —  Son  of  Weohstan,  kinsman  of  Aelfhere.  Helps  Beo- 
wulf in  his  fight  with  the  dragon,  and  receives  from  him 
his  ring,  helmet,  and  cuirass. 

Withergyld. — Name  of  a  Heathobard  warrior,  killed  by  the 
Danes,  according  to  Grein,  but  Heyne  does  not  take  the 
word  as  a  proper  name,  1.  2051. 

Wonred.  —  Father  of  Wulf  and  Eof  or. 

Wulf.  —  A  Geat.  Son  of  Wonred.  Fights  in  battle  with  Ongen- 
theow,  and  wounds  him,  but  is  himself  severely  wounded, 
whereupon  Eofor  slays  Ongentheow. 

Wulfgar.  —  Chief  of  the  Wendlas.  Lives  at  Hrothgar's  court, 
and  is  his  messenger  and  servant. 

Wylflngs,  —  A  tribe,  whose  warrior  Heatholaf  is  slain  by 
Ecgtheow. 

Trmenlaf •  —  Brother  of  Aeschere. 


LIST  OF  OLD-ENGLISH  WORDS. 

Aetheling.  —  (A,  S.  ce^eling,  G.  Edeling.)    One  of  noble  descent. 

Used  of  those  of  royal  family,  and  of  the  noble-born  in 

general. 
Bale,  — (A.  S.  bealu.)    Used  of  evil  generally,  especially  in 

composition,  as  life-bale,  night-bale,  &c. 
Bill.  —  (A.  S.  Ml,  G.  Bil.)     Sword.    So  used  in  Beowulf,  though 

Grein  gives  also  "battle-axe."    Seen  in  composition,  as 

battle-bill,  war-bill. 
Bmnd.  —  (0.  N.  brand-r.)  Sword ;  in  composition,  battle-brand ; 

but  A.  S.  brand  =  *'  fire,"  and  so  used  by  Heyne  in  1464, 

where  Grein  reads  brondne,  as  adj.,  =  "flaming." 
Bumie.  —  (A.   S.   byrney  G.   Brunne.)      Coat-of-mail,  corslet, 

cuirass.    Made  of  chain-rings,  hence  ringed  bumie.     In 

composition,  war-b»rnie,  &c. 


Hi  BEOWULF. 

Eoten.  —  (A.  S.  eoton.)  Giant.  Ace.  to  Heyne,  used  of  foes  is 
general,  and  so  applied  to  the  Danes  and  Frisians  in  pas- 
sages where  Grein  reads  as  proper  name,  =  Jutes,  e.g.,  1073, 
1089, 1142,  1146.    In  composition,  eoten-race,  eoten-guard. 

Holm.  —  (A.  S.  holmj  G.  Holm.)  Sea,  sea-waves.  Not  islet,  aa 
in  modem  English.    In  composition,  holm-cliff. 

Here.  —  (A.  S.  mere,  G.  Meer.)  Sea,  lake.  In  composition, 
mere-beast,  &c. 

Ness.  —  (A.  S.  noes.)  CliflE,  headland,  promontory.  In  compo- 
sition, sea-ness. 

Nicker.  —  (A.  S.  nicory  G.  Nix.)  Sea-monster,  water-spirit.  Used 
of  the  sea-beasts  that  Beowulf  kills. 

Sark.  —  (A.  S.  serce,  syrce.)  Coat-of-mail,  cuirass,  armor.  In 
composition,  body-sark,  war-sark,  &c. 

Scope. —  (A.  S.  scop.)  Minstrel,  singer,  poet.  The  invariable 
attendant  of  the  feasts. 

Sty.  —  (A.  S.  stigan,  G.  steigen.)  To  ascend,  mount,  and  to  go, 
in  general.    Frequent  in  Early  English. 

Weeds.  —  (A.  S.  ge-w&de.)  Clothing,  especially  armor,  as  in 
composition,  battle-weeds,  war-weeds. 

Weird.  — (A.  S.  wyrd.)  Destiny,  Fate;  so  frequently  used  of 
Fate  personified,  and  of  Destiny  in  general ;  the  Ruler  of 
human  destiny.  Perhaps  a  remnant  of  the  heathen  myth- 
ology visible  in  the  use  of  this  word,  under  the  Christian 
coloring  of  the  poem. 


BEOWULF. 


Beowulf  and  Grendel. 
I. 

Scyld  and  his  descendants.  Hrothgar  and  the  building  of 
Heorot,  The  coming  of  Grendel^  and  his  evil  deeds. 
HrotJigar^s  great  sorrow, 

I.  "T  O  !  we  of  the  Spear-Danes*,  in  days  of  yore, 
-L-^    Warrior-kings*  glory  have  heard, 
How  the  princes  heroic  deeds  wrought. 
Oft  Scyld,  son  of  Scef,  from  hosts  of  foes, 
5  From  many  tribes,  their  mead-seats  took ; 
The  earl  caused  terror  since  first  he  was 
Found  thus  forlorn :  gained  he  comfort  for  that, 
Grew  under  the  clouds,  in  honors  throve, 
Until  each  one  of  those  dwelling  around 

10  Over  the  whale-road,  him  should  obey, 
Should  tribute  pay :  that  was  a  good  king  ! 
To  him  was  a  son  afterwards  born. 
Young  in  his  palace,  one  whom  God  sent 
To  the  people  for  comfort :  their  distress  He  perceived 

15  That  they  ere  suffered  life-eating  care 
So  long  a  while.     Him  therefor  life's  Lord, 
King  of  glory,  world-honor  gave : 
Beowulf  was  noted  (wide  spread  his  fame), 
_^  The  son  of  Scyld  in  Scedelands. 

20  So  shall  a  young  man  with  presents  cause. 
With  rich  money-gifts  in  his  father's  house, 
That  him  in  old  age  may  after  attend 


S  :     J :      ;  ;\  BEOWULF.  [23^7. 

Willing  comi'ades ;   when  war  shall  come, 

May  stand  by  their  chief ;  by  deeds  of  praise  shall 

25  In  every  tribe  a  hero  thrive  ! 
.    Then  Seyld  departed  at  the  hour  of  fate, 
The  warlike  to  go  into  his  Lord's  keeping : 
They  him  then  bore  to  the  ocean's  wave, 
His  trusty  comrades,  as  he  himself  bade, 

30  Whilst  with  words  ruled  the  friend  of  the  Scyldings, 
Beloved  iand-prince ;  long  wielded  he  power. 
There  stood  at  haven  with  curved  prow, 
Shining  and  ready,  the  prince's  ship  : 
The  people  laid  their  dear  war-lord, 

85  Giver  of  rings,  on  the  deck  of  the  ship. 

The  mighty  b}^  th'  mast.     Many  treasures  were  there, 
From  distant  lands,  ornaments  brought ; 
Ne'er  heard  I  of  keel  more  comelilj'  filled 
With  warlike  weapons  and  weeds  of  battle, 

40  With  bills  and  burnies  !     On  his  bosom  lay 
A  heap  of  jewels,  which  with  him  should 
Into  the  flood's  keeping  afar  depart : 
Not  at  all  with  less  gifts  did  they  him  provide. 
With  princely  treasures,  than  those  had  done, 

45  Who  him  at  his  birth  had  erst  sent  forth 
Alone  o'er  the  sea  when  but  a  child. 
Then  placed  they  yet  a  golden  standard 
High  over  his  head,  let  the  waves  bear 
Their  gift  to  the  sea  ;  sad  was  their  soul, 

60  Mourning  their  mood.     Men  indeed  cannot 
Say  now  in  sooth,  hall-possessors, 
Heroes  'neath  heavens,  who  that  heap  took. 
'    n.  Then  was  in  the  cities  Beowulf,  the  Scyldings' 
Beloved  folk-king,  for  a  long  time 

55  Renowned  'mid  the  nation  (elsewhere  went  his  father 
The  prince  from  his  home) ,  till  from  him  after  sprang 
The  great  Healfdene :  he  ruled  while  he  lived, 


58-92.  J  BEOWULF  3 

Ag^d  and  warlike,  kindly  the  Scyldings. 

To  him  were  four  children,  reckoned  in  order, 

60  Born  into  the  world,  to  the  prince  of  the  people, 
Heorogar  and  Hrothgar  and  Halga  the  good. 
I  heard  that  Elan  wife  of  Ongentheow  was. 
The  warlike  Scylfing's  bed-companion. 
Then  was  to  Hrothgar  war-speed  given, 

65  Honor  in  battle,  that  him  his  dear  kinsmen 
Gladly*  obe3'ed,  until  the  youth  grew, 
A  great  band  of  men.     It  came  into  his  mind 
That  he  a  great  hall  would  then  command, 
A  greater  mead-hall  his  men  to  build 

70  Than  children  of  men  ever  had  heard  of, 
And  there  within  would  he  all  deal  out 
To  3'oung  and  to  old,  as  God  him  gave, 
Except  the  folk-land  and  lives  of  men. 
Then  far  and  wide  heard  I  the  work  was  ordered 

75  To  many  a  tribe  throughout  this  mid-earth 
The  folk-hall  to  deck.     Him  in  time  it  befell 
Quickly  with  men,  that  it  was  all  ready. 
The  greatest  of  halls  :  Heort  as  name  gave  he  it, 
He  who  with  his  word  power  far  and  wide  had. 

80  He  belied  not  his  promise,  bracelets  he  dealt. 
Treasure  at  banquet.     The  hall  arose 
Lofty  and  pinnacled  ;  hostile  waves  it  awaited 
Of  hateful  fire.     Nor  was  it  yet  long 
Before  fierce  hatred  to  the  frightened  men, 

85  For  deadly  enmit}^  was  to  arise, 
'  'Since  the  fell  spirit  most  spitefully 
For  a  time  endured,  who  in  darkness  abode. 
That  he  on  each  day  the  sound  of  joy  heard 
Loud  in  the  hall :  there  was  harp's  sound, 

90  Clear  song  of  the  minstrel.     He  said,  he  who  could 
The  creation  of  men  from  of  old  relate. 
Quoth  that  the  Almighty  the  earth  had  wrought, 


[  BEOWULF.  [93-127. 

The  beautiful  plain  which  water  surrounds, 
Victorious  had  set  the  sun  and  the  moon 
95  As  lights  for  light  to  tlie  land-dwellers, 
And  had  adorned  the  regions  of  earth 
With  limbs  and  leaves,  life  also  created 
For  every  kind  of  living  beings. 
Thus  were  the  warriors  living  in  joj's 

100  Happily  then,  until  one  began 

Great  woes  to  work,  a  fiend  of  hell : 
The  wrathful  spirit  was  Grendel  named. 
The  mighty  mark-stepper  who  the  moors  held, 
Fen  and  fastness :  the  sea-fiend's  abode 

105  The  joj-less  being  a  while  in-dwelt. 
Since  the  Creator  him  had  proscribed. 
(Upon  Cain*s  kin  that  crime  avenged 
The  Lord  eternal,  for  that  he  slew  Abel : 
Joyed  he  not  in  that  feud,  but  him  afar  banished 

110  For  that  crime  the  Creator  away  from  mankind : 
Thence  evil  demons  all  were  produced, 
Eotens  and  elves  and  monsters  of  sea, 
Such  were  the  giants  who  strove  against  God 
For  a  long  time  :  He  repaid  them  for  that.) 

115  ni.  Then  went  he  to  seek  out,  after  night  came, 
The  high-built  house,  how  the  Ring-Danes, 
After  their  beer-feast,  it  had  arranged. 
He  found  then  therein  a  band  of  nobles 
Asleep  after  feasting :  sorrows  they  knew  not, 

120  Misfortunes  of  men.     The  demon  of  death. 
Grim  and  greedy,  soon  was  ready. 
Fierce  and  furious,  and  in  rest  took 
Thirty  of  thanes ;  thence  back  he  departed, 
Exulting  in  booty,  homeward  to  go, 

125  With  this  fill  of  slaughter  to  seek  out  his  dwelling. 
Then  at  early  mom  was  with  dawn  of  day 
GrendeVs  war-craft  made  known  to  men : 


128-162.]  BEOWULF.  5 

Then  after  his  meal  was  wailing  upraised, 
A  great  morning-cry :  the  mighty  prince, 

130  The  honored  chief,  sorrowful  sat, 

The  strong  man  suffered,  thane-sorrow  endured, 
After  the  foeman's  footsteps  they  beheld, 
The  cursed  demon's :  too  severe  was  that  sorrow. 
Loathsome  and  lasting.     No  longer  time  was  it, 

135  But  after  one  night  he  again  wrought 

More  deeds  of  murder,  and  did  not  shrink  from 
Hatred  and  evil :  too  firm  he  was  in  them. 
Then  was  easy  to  find  one  who  elsewhere, 
Farther  removed,  rest  for  himself  sought, 

140  A  bed  next  the  chambers,  since  to  him  was  shown, 
Truly  was  said  by  a  manifest  sign 
The  hall-thane's  hatred :  he  held  himself  after 
Further  and  firmer,  who  'scaped  from  the  fiend. 
So  then  he  reigned  and  strove  against  right 

145  Alone  against  all,  until  empty  stood 

The  finest  of  houses.     Long  was  the  time : 
Twelve  winters'  time  suffering  endured 
The  friend  of  the  Scyldings,  each  one  of  woes. 
Of  sorrows  extreme :  therefore  was  this  misery 

150  Openly  known  to  the  children  of  men. 
Sadly  in  songs,  that  Grendel  contended 
A  while  against  Hrothgar,  hateful  war  waged. 
Evil  and  enmity  many  half-years. 
Contests  continual ;  peacefully  would  not 

155  From  any  one  man  of  the  might  of  the  Danes 
Life-bale  remove,  nor  with  money  compound ; 
No  one  of  the  wise  men  need  there  expect 
A  ransom  more  splendid  at  the  murderer's  hands^ 
The  terrible  demon  hai'assing  was, 

160  Dark  death-shadow,  the  old  and  the  young, 

Caught  and  entrapped  them ;  in  constant  night  held 
The  misty  moors :  men  know  not  indeed 


6  BEOWULF.  [1G3-192 

Whither  hell's  demons  wander  in  crowds. 
So  many  foul  deeds  the  foe  of  mankind, 

165  The  terrible  lone  one,  often  enacted, 
Direful  afflictions  ;  Heorot  he  dwelt  in, 
The  costly-decked  hall,  on  the  dark  nights ; 
Yet  must  he  not  the  rich  gift-stool  ai)i)roach 
For  the  Creator,  nor  wish  for  it  know. 

170  That  was  great  sorrow  of  the  friend  of  the  Scyldings, 
Misery  of  mind  !     Many  oft  sat 
Mighty  in  council ;  plans  they  devised, 
What  with  bold  mind  then  would  b(»>  best 
'Gainst  the  sudden  attacks  for  them' to  do. 

175  Sometimes  they  vowed  at  then*  temples  of  idols 
To  their  gods  worship,  with  words  they  prayed 
The  destroyer  of  spirits  would  render  them  help 
Against  their  folk-sorrows.     Such  was  their  custom, 
Hope  of  the  heathen  :"ifell  they  remembered 

180  In  their  minds'  thoughts  ;  the  Creator  they  knew  not, 
Judge  of  their  deeds  :  the  good  Lord  they  knew  not, 
Heaven's  protector  could  they  not  praise, 
The  King  of  glorj.     Woe  be  to  him  who  shall, 
Through  deadly  hate,  thrust  down  his  soul 

185  Into  the  fire-abyss  ;  for  comfort  he'll  hope  not, 
By  no  means  return  !     Well  be  to  him  who  may, 
After  his  death-day,  seek  for  the  Lord, 
In  the  Father's  bosom  mercy  beseech  I 

II. 

The  arrival  of  Beowulf.     His  talk  with  the  warden.     Hit 
reception  by  Hrothgar,     He  makes  known  his  errand. 

rV.  So  then  great  soitow  Healfdene's  son 
190  Continually  suffered  :  might  not  the  wise  chieftain 
His  woes  remove  :  too  great  was  that  pain. 
Loathsome  and  lasting,  that  came  on  the  people, 


193-227.]  BEOWULF.  • 

Dreadful  distress,  greatest  of  night-bales. 
That  from  home  learnt  Higelac's  thane, 

195  Good  'mong  the  Geats,  the  deeds  of  Grendel: 
He  was  of  mankind  strongest  in  might 
In  the  day  then  of  this  mortal  life, 
Noble  and  great.     For  him  a  ship  bade  he 
A  good  one  prepare,  quoth,  he  the  war-king 

200  Over  the  swan-road  wished  to  seek  out, 

The  mighty  prince,  since  he  need  had  of  men. 
That  journe}'  to  him  the  cunning  churls 
Not  at  all  blamed,  though  he  dear  to  them  was. 
They  whetted  the  brave  one,  good  omens  they  saw. 

205  The  good  one  had  of  the  Geats'  people 

Warriors  chosen,  of  those  whom  he  bravest 
Was  able  to  find  :  one  of  fifteen 
The  vessel  he  sought :  a  warrior  made  known, 
A  sea-crafty  man,  the  xicighboring  landmarks. 

210  Thus  time  went  on  :  on  the  waves  was  the  ship, 
Boat  under  the  mountain.     The  heroes  ready 
On  the  prow  stied  :  the  billows  rolled 
The  sea  'gainst  the  sand,     i'he  warriors  bore 
On  the  deck  of  the  ship  ornaments  bright, 

215  Equipments  ornate  :  the  men  shoved  out. 
Men  on  willing  journey,  the  well-fitted  wood. 
Went  then  o'er  the  waves,  by  the  wind  hastened, 
The  foamy-necked  float  to  a  fowl  most  like, 
Till  at  the  same  hour  of  the  following  day 

220  The  curved  prow  had  traversed  the  water. 
So  that  the  sailors  then  saw  the  land, 
The  sea-cliffs  shine,  the  mountains  steep, 
The  broad  sea-nesses.     Then  was  the  sea-goer 
At  the  end  of  its  voyage.     Thence  quickly  up 

225  The  Weders'  people  on  the  plain  stied, 

The  sea- wood  tied,  their  battle-sarks  rattled, 
Their  weeds  of  war:  thanked  they  then  God 


I  BEOWULF.  [228-261. 

That  for  them  the  sea-paths  easy  were  found. 
Then  saw  from  the  wall  the  guard  of  the  Scyldings, 

230  He  who  the  sea-cliffs  was  set  to  hold. 

Bear  o'er  the  bulwarks  bright-looking  shields, 
Weapons  ready  for  war :  wonder  aroused  him 
In  his  mind's  thoughts  as  to  what  these  men  were. 
Went  he  then  to  the  sea  on  his  steed  riding, 

235  The  thane  of  Hrothgar ;  with  might  he  shook 

The  strong  wood  in  his  hands,  with  formal  words 

spoke : 
**  What  now  are  ye  of  arms-bearing  men 
With  burnies  protected,  who  thus  a  high  keel 
Over  the  sea-path  bringing  have  come 

240  O'er  the  waves  hither,  clad  in  helmets  ? 
I  was  the  coast-guard,  sea-watch  I  kept 
That  no  one  of  foes  on  the  Danes*  land 
With  a  ship-army  injury  might  do. 
Not  here  more  openly  ever  have  come 

245  Bearers  of  shields !     Ye  the  permission 
Of  warlike  men  did  not  well  know, 
Consent  of  kinsmen  !    Ne'er  saw  I  a  greater 
Earl  upon  earth  than  is  one  of  you, 
A  hero  in  armor :  that  is  no  home-stayer 

250  With  weapons  adorned,  unless  looks  belie  him, 
His  peerless  appearance.     Now  I  of  you  shall 
The  origin  learn,  ere  ye  far  hence. 
Like  to  false  spies,  in  the  land  of  the  Danes 
Further  advance.    Now  ye  far-dwelling, 

255  Sea-faring  men,  give  willing  ear 

To  my  simple  thought :  haste  now  is  best 
To  make  plainly  known  whence  is  your  coming." 
V.  To  him  then  the  princely  one  quickly  replied, 
The  war-band's  leader  his  word-hoard  unlocked : 

260  "We  are  of  the  race  of  the  Geats*  people, 
And  are  of  Hygelac  hearth-companions. 


262-296.]  BEOWULF.  $ 

My  own  father  was  well-known  to  the  folk, 
A  princely  ruler,  Ecgtheow  called : 
Many  winters  he  lived  ere  he  away  went 

265  Aged  from  his  dwelling :  him  well  remembers 
Each  one  of  the  wise  men  wide  through  the  earth. 
With  friendly  mind  we  thine  own  lord, 
Healf dene's  son,  seeking  are  come, 
The  people's  protector.     Be  thou  our  informant. 

270  We  have  to  the  mighty  a  mickle  errand. 

To  the  lord  of  the  Danes :  nor  shall  aught  be  hidden 

Of  this,  as  I  think.     Thou  knowest,  if  it  is, 

As  we  indeed  truly  have  heard  it  said. 

That  *mong  the  Scyldings  I  know  not  what  foe, 

275  A  secret  enemy,  on  the  dark  nights. 
Shows  by  his  terror  hatred  unknown. 
Oppression  and  slaughter.     I  for  that  Hrothgar 
With  kindly  mind  counsel  may  give, 
How  he,  old  and  good,  shall  the  foe  overcome, 

280  If  yet  for  him  ever  should  cease 

The  misery  of  woes,  release  again  come, 
And  the  care-waves  cooler  become  ; 
Or  ever  hereafter  a  time  of  trouble. 
Oppression  he'll  suffer,  while  there  remains 

285  In  its  high  place  the  noblest  of  houses." 
The  warden  spoke,  where  on  his  horse  sat 
The  fearless  warrior :    "Of  each  of  these  shall 
A  wise  shield-warrior  the  difference  know, 
Of  words  and  works,  he  who  well  judgeth. 

290  I  that  do  hear,  that  this  band  is  friendly 

To  the  lord  of  the  Scyldings ;  go  then  forth  bearing 
Your  weapons  and  war-weeds  ;  I  shall  direct  you : 
Likewise  my  war-thanes  I  shall  command 
Against  any  foe  this  vessel  of  yours, 

295  The  newly-tarred  boat,  on  the  sea-sand 
With  honor  to  hold,  till  back  shall  bear 


10  BEOWULF.  [297-331. 

0*er  the  sea-waves  the  friendly  man 
The  curved-prowed  craft  to  Wedermark. 
To  such  a  good-doer  will  it  be  granted, 

300  That  this  battle-storm  he  safe  shall  escape." 

Then  journeyed  they  on :  the  boat  remained  still, 
In  the  bay  rested  the  broad-bosomed  ship, 
At  anchor  fast.     The  boar's  likeness  shone : 
Over  the  visor,  with  gold  adorned, 

305  Bright  and  fire-hardened,  the  boar  kept  guard. 
The  fierce-minded  hurried,  the  heroes  hastened, 
Together  they  went,  till  the  well-built  hall. 
Shining  and  gold-adorned,  they  might  perceive : 
That  was  the  foremost  to  dwellers  on  earth 

310  Of  halls  under  heavens,  in  which  the  king  dwelt ; 
The  light  from  it  shone  o'er  many  of  lands. 
To  them  then  the  warrior  the  court  of  the  proud 
Glittering  showed,  that  they  to  it  might 
Straightway  proceed,  one  of  war-heroes : 

815  Turned  he  his  horse,  his  word  then  spoke: 

"My  time  'tis  to  go.     May  the  Father  Almighty 
With  Ilis  gracious  favor  3'ou  now  preserve 
Safe  on  your  journey !     I  will  at  the  sea 
'Gainst  hostile  band  keep  guard  of  the  coast." 

320  VI.  The  road  was  stone-laid,  the  path  directed 
The  men  together.     The  war-burnie  shone, 
Hard  and  hand-locked,  the  bright  ring^d-iron 
Sang  in  the  armor,  when  they  to  the  hall 
In  their  war-weeds  at  first  approached. 

325  Sea-wearied  they  set  their  broad-shapen  shields, 
Their  stout-made  bucklers,  against  the  hall's  wall, 
"Went  then  to  the  benches ;  their  burnies  rang, 
"War-armor  of  men  ;  their  long  spears  stood, 
The  sea-men's  weapons,  all  together, 

830  Grey  ash-shaft  above  ;  the  armored  band  was 

"With  weapons  adorned.     There  then  a  bold  warrior 


8S2-366.]  BEOWULF.  |1 

Inquired  of  the  heroes  concerning  their  kinship : 
"Whence  do  3'e  bear  3'our  gilded  shields, 
Gra3'-colored  sarks  and  grim-looking  helmets, 

335  Heap  of  war-shafts  ?     I  am  of  Hrothgar 

Attendant  and  servant.     Ne'er  saw  I  strangers, 

So  many  men,  with  prouder  looks. 

I  think  ye  for  valor,  and  not  in  exile. 

But  for  high-mindedness  Hrothgar  have  sought." 

340  Him  then  the  hero  famed-for-strength  answered, 
The  brave  Weders'  prince,  his  word  then  spoke. 
Bold  under  his  helmet :  *'  We  are  of  H^'gelac 
Table-companions,  Beowulf's  my  name. 
I  wish  to  tell  to  the  son  of  Healfdene, 

345  The  illustrious  prince,  my  errand  to  him. 
Thy  lord,  and  to  know  if  he  will  us  grant 
That  we  him  so  good  friendly  may  greet.'* 
Wulfgar  then  spoke  (he  was  Vandals'  chief, 
His  strength  of  mind  was  to  many  well-known, 

350  His  prowess  and  wisdom)  :  **  I  the  Danes'  friend, 
The  lord  of  the  Scyldings,  therefore  will  ask. 
The  giver  of  rings,  as  thou  art  a  suppliant, 
The  illustrious  prince,  concerning  thy  errand. 
And  to  thee  the  answer  at  once  will  announce, 

355  Which  to  me  the  good  one  thinketh  to  give." 
Went  he  then  quickly  to  where  Hrothgar  sat. 
Old  and  gray-headed,  with  his  band  of  earls ; 
The  warlike  went,  till  he  stood  in  the  presence 
Of  the  lord  of  the  Danes  ;  he  knew  the  court's  custom. 

360  AYulfgar  then  spoke  to  his  own  dear  lord : 
*'  Here  are  arrived,  come  from  afar 
Over  the  sea-waves,  men  of  the  Geats  ; 
The  one  most  distinguished  the  warriors  brave 
Beowulf  name.     They  are  thy  suppliants 

365  That  they,  my  prince,  may  with  thee  now 
Greetings  exchange :  do  not  thou  refuse  them 


12  BEOWULF.  [3G7-400 

Thy  converse  in  turn,  friendly  Hrothgar ! 
They  in  their  war-weeds  seem  very  worthy 
Contenders  with  earls :  the  chief  is  renowned 

370  Who  these  war-heroes  hither  has  led." 
VII.  Hrothgar  then  spoke,  defence  of  the  Scyldings : 
**  I  knew  him  of  old  when  he  was  a  child : 
His  ag6d  father  was  Ecgtheow  named ; 
To  him  at  home  gave  Hrethel  the  Geat 

375  His  only  daughter:  his  son  has  now 

Boldly  come  here,  a  trusty  friend  sought. 
Then  this  was  said  by  the  sea-farers, 
Those  who  did  tribute  for  the  Geats  carry 
Thither  for  favor,  that  he  thirty  men's 

380  Great  strength  of  might  in  his  hand-grip, 
Brave  in  war,  has.     Him  holy  God 
For  gracious  help  to  us  has  sent. 
To  the  West-Danes,  as  I  have  hope. 
Against  GrendeFs  terror :  I  shall  to  the  good  one 

385  For  his  boldness  of  mind  costly  gifts  offer. 
Be  thou  in  haste,  bid  them  come  in, 
A  friendly  band  see  all  together ! 
Tell  them  too  in  words  that  they  are  welcome 
To  the  Danes*  people." —  [To  the  hall-door 

390  Wulfgar  then  went],  words  within  spoke : 
"  To  you  bade  me  say  my  victor-lord. 
Prince   of   the   East-Danes,  that  your  kinship  he 

knows. 
And  ye  are  to  him  over  the  sea-waves, 
Bold-minded  men,  welcome  hither. 

395  Now  ye  may  go  in  your  war-armor, 
Under  your  helmets,  Hrothgar  to  see : 
Let  ye  your  battle-shields  here  then  await, 
Your  spears,  deadly  shafts,  the  converse  of  words." 
Then  rose  the  mighty,  many  warriors  around  him, 

400  A  brave  band  of  thanes :  some  there  abode, 


401-434.]  BEOWULF.  13 

The  battle-weeds  kept,  as  them  the  chief  bade. 
They  hastened  together,  as  the  guide  them  directed, 
Under  Heorot's  roof :  the  valiant  one  went 
Bold  under  his  helmet,  till  he  in  the  hall  stood. 

405  Beowulf  spoke  (on  him  shone  the  bm-nie, 

The  linked  net-work  forged  by  the  smith's  craft)  : 
''Be  thou,  Hrothgar,  hail !  I  am  of  Hygelac 
Kinsman  and  war-thane  :  many  exploits  have  I 
Undertaken  in  youth.     To  me  Grendel's  deed 

410  In  my  native  land  clearly  was  known  : 

The  sea-f  arers  say  that  this  mead-hall  stands, 
Noblest  of  halls,  for  each  one  of  heroes 
Empty  and  useless,  when  even-light 
In  the  brightness  of  heaven  has  been  concealed. 

415  Then  did  my  people  give  me  advice. 
The  noblest  of  men,  craftiest  of  churls. 
Princely  Hrothgar,  that  I  thee  should  seek ; 
For  that  they  knew  my  own  strength  of  might : 
They  themselves  suw  when  I  came  from  the  battle, 

420  Blood-stained  from  my  foes,  where  sea-monsters  I 
bound, 
The  eoten-race  killed,  and  on  the  waves  slew 
The  nickers  by  night,  endured  great  distress, 
Avenged  Weders'  sorrows  (woes  had  they  suffered) , 
Their  foe-men  destroyed,  and  now  against  Grendel, 

425  Against  the  dread  monster,  alone  shall  decide 
The  fight  'gainst  the  giant.     I  of  thee  now  then, 
Prince  of  the  Bright-Danes,  desire  to  make. 
Chief  of  the  Sc3^1dings,  but  one  request,  — 
That  do  not  thou  refuse  me,  defender  of  warriors, 

430  Dear  friend  of  the  people,  now  thus  far  am  I  come,— 
That  I  may  alone  and  my  band  of  earls. 
This  company  brave,  Heorot  cleanse. 
Also  have  I  heard  that  the  dread  monster 
For  boldness  of  mood  recks  not  for  weapons : 


14  BEOWULF.  L435-469. 

435  I  that  then  do  scorn  —  so  be  to  me  Hygelac, 
My  own  people*s-king,  gracious  in  mind — 
That  I  a  sword  bear  or  a  broad  shield 
Yellow-rimmed  to  the  battle ;  but  I  with  grip  shall 
'Gainst  my  foe  grapple  and  for  life  strive 

440  Foe  against  foe :  there  shall  confide 

In  the  doom  of  the  Lord  he  whom  death  takes. 
I  ween  that  he  will,  if  he  may  prevail, 
In  the  war-hall  the  folk  of  the  Geats, 
The  fearless,  devour,  as  he  oft  did 

445  The  might  of  the  Hrethmen ;  thou  needest  not  then 
My  head  conceal,  but  me  he  will  have 
Stained  with  gore,  if  death  me  take, 
My  bloody  corpse  bear,  think  to  devour  it, 
Will  eat  it  alone,  unpityingly, 

450  Will  mark  the  moor-mounds :   thou  needest  not  then 
For  my  body's  food  longer  take  care. 
Send  thou  to  Hygelac,  if  battle  me  take, 
Best  one  of  war-weeds  that  covers  my  breast, 
Noblest  of  burnies ;  His  Hraedla's  bequest, 

455  Weland's  skilled  work.    Goes  a3'e  Weird  as  it  will ! " 
VIII.  Hrothgarthen  spoke,  defence  of  the  Scyldings: 
"  For  fight  of  protection,  Beowulf  my  friend, 
And  for  assistance,  hast  thou  us  sought. 
Thy  father  fought  a  mighty  contest ; 

460  He  was  of  Heatholaf  the  slayer  by  hand 

Among  the  Wylfings,  when  the  kin  of  the  Waras 
'Gainst  the  terror  of  war  him  might  not  have. 
After  that  sought  he  the  South-Danes*  folk 
Over  the  sea-waves,  the  Honor-Sc3'ldings, 

465  When  I  first  ruled  the  folk  of  the  Danes, 
And  in  youth  held  the  jewelled-rich 
Hoard-city  of  heroes,  when  Heregar  was  dead, 
My  elder  brother  bereft  of  life. 
The  son  of  Healfdene ;  he  was  better  than  I. 


470-498.]  BEOWULF.  15 

470  Afterwards  the  feud  with  money  I  settled ; 
I  sent  to  the  Wjlfings  o'er  the  waters'  ridge 
Old-time  treasures ;  he  swore  to  me  oaths. 
Sorrow  is  in  my  mind  for  me  to  say 
To  any  of  men  what  to  me  Grendel  hath 

475  Of  harm  in  Heorot  with  his  hateful  thoughts, 
Of  sudden  woes  wrought ;  my  hall-band  is, 
My  war-heap,  vanished ;  Weird  swept  them  away 
Into  Grendel's  terror.     God  easily  may 
The  mad  foe  restrain  from  his  evil  deeds. 

480  Verj'  often  they  boasted,  drunken  with  beer. 
Over  the  ale-cup,  the  warriors  bold, 
That  they  in  the  beer-hall  would  then  await 
Grendel's  contest  with  their  terrible  swords. 
Then  was  this  mead-hall  in  the  morning-time, 

485  Lordly  hall,  stained  with  gore,  when  day-light  shone. 
All  the  bench-rows  covered  with  blood, 
The  hall  with  sword-gore  ;  I  had  the  less  lieges. 
Dearest  companions,  whom  death  took  away. 
Sit  now  at  the  feast  and  free  from  court-rules 

490  The  heroes  victorious,  as  pleases  thy  mind." 
Then  was  for  the  Geat-men  all  together 
In  the  beer-hall  a  bench  prepared. 
Where  the  bold-minded  hastened  to  sit. 
Proud  in  their  strength.     The  thane  did  his  service, 

495  Who  in  his  hands  bore  a  gold-adorned  ale-cup. 

Poured  out  the  clear  mead.     Sometimes  sang  the 

minstrel 
With  clear  voice  in  Heorot :  there  was  joy  of  heroes, 
No  little  band  of  Danes  and  Weders. 


16  BEOWULF.  [499-627. 


m, 

HunfertVa  taunt.     The  swimming-match  with  Breca.    Joy 
in  Heorot. 

rX.  Hunferth  then  spoke,  the  son  of  Ecglaf, 

600  Who  at  the  feet  sat  of  the  lord  of  the  Scyldings, 
Unloosed  his  war-secret  (was  the  coming  of  Beowulf, 
The  proud  sea-farer,  to  him  mickle  grief, 
For  that  he  granted  not  that  any  man  else 
Ever  more  honor  of  this  mid-earth 

505  Should  gain  under  heavens  than  he  himself)  : 
♦*  Art  thou  that  Beowulf  who  strove  with  Breca 
On  the  broad  sea  in  swimming-match. 
When  ye  two  for  pride  the  billows  tried 
And  for  vain  boasting  in  the  deep  water 

510  Risked  3^our  lives?    You  two  no  man, 
Nor  friend  nor  foe,  might  then  dissuade 
From  sorrowful  venture,  when  ye  on  the  sea  swam. 
When  ye  the  sea- waves  with  your  arms  covered, 
Measured  the  sea-ways,  struck  with  your  hands, 

515  Glided  o*er  ocean ;  with  its  great  billows 

Welled  up  winter's  flood.     In  the  power  of  the  waters 
Ye  seven  nights  strove :  he  in  swimming  thee  con- 
quered, 
He  had  greater  might.     Then  him  in  the  morning 
On  the  Heathoremes'  land  the  ocean  bore  up, 

520  Whence  he  did  seek  his  pleasant  home. 

Dear  to  his  people,  the  land  of  the  Brondings 
His  fair  strong  city,  where  he  had  people, 
A  city  and  rings.     All  his  boast  against  thee 
The  son  of  Beanstan  truly  fulfilled. 
•  525  Then  ween  I  for  thee  a  worse  result, 

Though  thou  in  battle  wert  everywhere  good, 
A  fiercer  fight,  if  thou  Grendel  darest 


628-662.]  BEOWULF.  11 

The  space  of  one  night  nigh  to  abide." 
Beowulf  spoke,  Ecgtheow's  son  : 

530  *'  Lo  !  thou  very  much,  Hunferth  my  friend, 
Drunken  with  beer,  hast  spoken  of  Breca, 
Hast  said  of  his  journey.     I  say  the  truth, 
That  I  did  the  more  sea-power  possess, 
Endurance  *mid  waves,  than  any  man  else. 

635  We  two  said  this,  when  we  were  boys. 

And  we  of  this  boasted  (both  were  then  still 
In  the  prime  of  youth) ,  that  we  out  on  the  sea 
Our  lives  would  risk ;  and  that  we  accomplished. 
A  naked  sword  had  we,  when  we  swam  on  the  sea, 

540  Boldly  in  hand :  ourselves  'gainst  the  whales 
We  thought  to  defend.     Not  at  all  from  me 
On  the  flood-waves  could  he  afar  float. 
On  the  sea  quicker ;  I  from  him  would  not. 
.^^Then  we  two  together  were  in  the  sea 

545  The  space  of  five  nights,  till  flood  apart  drove  us, 
The  swelling  billows,  coldest  of  storms, 
Darkening  night,  and  the  north  wind 
Boisterous  and  fierce ;  rough  were  the  waves. 
The  sea-fishes'  spirit  was  then  aroused : 

550  There  'gainst  the  foes  my  body-sark. 

Hard  and  hand-locked,  to  me  help  aflbrded ; 
The  braided  war-burnie  on  my  breast  lay. 
With  gold  adorned.     To  the  bottom  me  drew 
The  hostile  foe ;  he  held  me  fast, 

555  Grim  in  his  grip ;  yet  was  it  granted  me. 

That  I  the  monster  with  sword-point  reached, 
With  battle-brand :  the  struggle  took  off 
The  mighty  mere-beast  by  my  own  hand. 
X.  ''So  often  upon  me  the  hateful  foes 

560  Powerfully  pressed :  I  punished  them 
With  my  dear  sword,  as  it  behooved  me. 
Not  at  all  did  they  have  joy  of  their  meal, 


18  BEOWULF.  [663-696. 

The  evil-doers,  that  they  me  might  devour, 
'Round  their  banquet  might  sit  nigh  the  sea-bottom, 

565  But  in  the  morning  wounded  with  swords 
Around  the  sea-strand  and  upon  it  they  lay, 
With  swords  put  to  sleep,  that  never  thereafter 
Upon  the  high  ocean  the  farers-by-sea 
Might  they  let  on  their  journey.    Light  from  the  east 
came, 

570  Bright  beacon  of  God;  still  were  the  waves, 
So  that  I  the  sea-nesses  might  now  behold. 
The  windy  walls.     Weird  often  preserves 
An  unfated  earl,  when  his  might  has  availed  I 
Yet  it  granted  to  me  that  I  with  sword  slew 

575  Nine  of  the  nickers.     Ne'er  heard  I  at  night 
Under  heaven's  vault  of  a  harder  fight, 
Nor  on  the  sea-billows  of  a  more  wretched  man : 
Yet  I  my  foes'  grip  with  life  escaped 
Weary  of  th'  journey.     Then  me  the  sea  bore, 

680  The  flood  o'er  the  waves,  upon  the  Finns'  land. 
The  welling  waters.     Not  at  all  about  thee 
Of  such-like  contests  have  I  heard  tell. 
Of  terror  with  swords.     Breca  ne'er  yet 
In  battle-play,  nor  either  of  3'ou, 

585  So  daring  a  deed  ever  has  done. 

With  stained  swords  (not  of  that  do  I  boast) , 
Though  thou  thine  own  brothers'  murderer  wast, 
Th}^  blood-relations' :  for  this  shalt  thou  in  hell 
Curses  endure,  though  thj^  wit  may  avail ! 

590  I  tell  thee  in  truth,  son  of  Ecglaf , 

That  never  had  Grendel  wrought  so  many  horrors, 
The  terrible  monster,  to  thine  own  prince. 
Shame  in  Heorot,  if  thy  mind  were. 
Thy  temper,  so  fierce,  as  thou  thyself  reckonest : 

695  But  he  hath  found  that  he  the  feud  need  not, 
The  terrible  contest  of  your  own  people, 


697-630.]  BEOWULF.  19 

Very  much  dread,  of  the  Victor-Scyldings ; 
He  taketh  forced  pledge,  he  spare th  no  one 
Of  the  Danes'  people,  but  he  joy  beareth, 

600  Killeth  and  eateth,  nor  weeneth  of  contest 
With  the  Spear-Danes.     But  I  to  him  shall 
The  Geats'  strength  and  might  without  delay  now 
Offer  in  battle.     Then  shall  go  he  who  may 
Proudly  to  mead,  when  morning-light 

605  Of  the  second  da}'  o'er  the  children  of  men, 

The  sun  ether-clad,  shall  shine  from  the  South." 
Then  was  in  joy  the  giver  of  treasure, 
Graj-haired  and  war-fierce ;  help  he  expected, 
The  ruler  of  Bright-Danes ;  in  Beowulf  heard 

610  The  people's  shepherd  the  firm-set  purpose. 

There   was    laughter  of    heroes,    the    harp   meri-y 

sounded. 
Winsome  were  words.     Went  Wealhtheow  forth, 
The  queen  of  Hrothgar,  mindful  of  courtesies, 
Gold-adorned  greeted  the  men  in  the  hall, 

615  And  the  high-born  woman  then  gave  the  cup 
First  to  the  East-Danes'  home-protector, 
Bade  him  be  blithe  at  the  beer-drinking, 
Him  dear  to  his  people.     In  joy  he  received 
The  food  and  the  hall-cup,  victorious  king. 

620  Then  around  went  the  Helmings'  lady 
To  every  division  of  old  and  of  young, 
Costly  gifts  gave,  until  the  time  came 
That  she  to  Beowulf,  the  ring-adorned  queen. 
Noble  in  mind,  the  mead-cup  bore : 

625  She  greeted  the  Geats'  chief,  thanks  gave  to  God, 
Wise  in  her  words,  that  the  wish  to  her  fell. 
That  on  any  earl  she  nfight  rely 
For  comfort  in  evils.     Received  he  the  cup. 
The  warrior  fierce,  at  Wealhtheow's  hands. 

630  And  then  he  spoke,  ready  for  battle ; 


20  BEOWULF.  [631-661 

Beowulf  spoke,  Ecgtheow's  son : 
"This  thought  I  then,  when  I  on  the  sea  stied, 
Boarded  my  sea-boat  with  my  warrior-band, 
That  1  throughout  of  your  own  people 

635  The  will  would  work,  or  in  battle  fall, 
Fast  in  fiend's  grip.     I  shall  perform 
Deeds  of  valor,  or  end-day  mine 
In  this  mead-hall  I  shall  await." 
To  the  woman  these  words  well-pleasing  were, 

640  Boasts  of  the  Geat :  gold-adorned  went 
The  high-born  queen  to  sit  by  her  lord. 
Then  was  as  before  again  in  the  hall 
Mighty  word  spoken,  in  joy  were  the  people, 
The  victor-folk's  shout,  until  all  at  once 

645  The  son  of  Healfdene  wished  to  seek  out 
His  evening-rest ;  he  knew  for  the  monster 
In  the  high  hall  was  battle  prepared, 

647*  [Because  in  this  hall  the  Ring-Danes  never 

647** Dared  to  abide  unless  by  day-time]. 

From  the  time  that  they  the  sun-light  might  see, 
Till  night  spreading  darkness  over  all  things, 

650  Night- wandering  spirits,  came  advancing 

Dark  under  the  clouds.     The  crowd  all  arose : 
Greeted  then  glad -minded  one  man  another, 
Hrothgar  Beowulf,  and  offered  him  hail. 
Power  o'er  the  mead-hall,  and  this  word  spoke  : 

655  *'  Never  to  any  man  ere  did  I  trust. 

Since  I  could  lift  m}^  hand  and  my  shield, 
Roj'al  hall  of  the  Danes  except  to  thee  now. 
*   Have  now  and  hold  the  noblest  of  houses. 
Of  glory  be  mindful,  a  hero's  might  show, 

660  Watch  'gainst  the  foe.     No  wish  shalt  thou  want, 
If  thou  the  great  struggle  escapest  with  life.*' 


662-691.]  BEOWULF.  21 

IV. 

Beowulf  and  his  men  occupy  Heorot.     The  coming  of 
Grendel,     The  mighty  contest,    Beowulf  *8  victory, 

XI.  Then  Hrothgar  went  with  his  warrior-band, 
The  prince  of  the  Scyldings,  out  of  the  hall : 
The  war-prince  would  Wealhtheow  seek, 

665  His  queen  as  companion.     The  glory  of  kings 
Grendel  against,  as  men  heard  say, 
A  hall-guard  had  set:  he  performed  special  service 
For  the  prince  of  the  Danes,  he  eoten-guard  kept. 
Now  the  prince  of  the  Geats  earnestly  trusted 

670  In  his  proud  might,  in  the  Creator's  favor, 
h  Then  he  laid  him  aside  his  iron  burnie, 

Helmet  from  head,  his  jewelled  sword  gave, 
Choicest  of  weapons,  to  his  servant-thane, 
And  bade  him  keep  his  armor  of  war. 

675  Then  spoke  the  hero  some  boastful  words, 
Beowulf  the  Geat,  ere  he  on  bed  stied : 
'*I  count  not  myself  less  good  in  war-might 
For  deeds  of  battle  than  Grendel  himself: 
Therefore  with  my  sword  I  him  will  not  kill, 

680  Of  life  deprive,  though  I  it  all  may. 

He  knows  not  these  goods,  so  that  he  me  may  slay, 
Hew  down  my  shield,  although  he  be  fierce 
In  hostile  deeds :  but  we  at  night  shall 
From  swords  refrain,  if  he  dare  to  seek 

685  "War  without  weapons ;  and  then  the  wise  God, 
The  holy  Lord,  on  whatever  hand 
May  the  glory  adjudge,  as  seems  to  Him  fit." 
Then  lay  down  the  warlike  :  the  pillow  received 
The  cheeks  of  the  earl,  and  him  around  many 

690  A  valiant  sea-warrior  sought  his  hall-rest. 

No  one  of  these  thought  that  thence  he  should 


22  BEOWULF.  [692-725 

Again  nis  dear  home  ever  seek  out, 
Folk  or  free-city  where  he  was  reared  ; 
But  they  had  heard  that  too  many  before 

695  In  this  wine-hall  bloody  death  carried  off 

Of  the  folk  of  the  Danes.     But  to  them  the  Lord  gave 
The  web  of  war-speed,  to  the  folk  of  the  Weders 
Comfort  and  help,  so  that  they  their  foes 
Through  the  craft  of  one  all  overcame, 

700  By  the  might  of  one  self :  the  truth  is  made  known 
That  the  mighty  God  the  race  of  man 
Has  alwa3'S  ruled.  —  Came  in  wan  night 
The  shadow-goer  stepping.     The  warriors  slept, 
Who  the  horned  hall  then  were  to  hold, 

705  All  except  one.     That  was  to  men  known, 

That  them  he  might  not,  whom  the  Creator  would  not. 
The  hostile  demon  drag  into  darkness  ; 
But  he  keeping  watch  for  his  foe  in  anger 
Awaited  enraged  the  result  of  the  battle. 

710  XII.  Then  came  from  the  moor  'neath  the  misty 
slopes 
Grendel  going,  God's  anger  he  bore. 
The  wicked  foe  thought  of  the  race  of  man 
Some  one  to  entrap  in  that  high  hall : 
He  went  'neath  the  clouds  whither  he  the  wine-hall, 

715  The  gold-hall  of  men,  most  thoroughly  knew. 

Shining  with  gold-plates  :  that  was  not  the  first  time 
That  he  of  Hrothgar  the  home  had  sought. 
Ne'er  in  his  life-time  before  nor  after 
Bolder  warriors,  hall-thanes,  did  he  find! 

720  Then  came  to  the  hall  the  being  approaching. 
Of  joys  deprived.     The  door  soon  sprang  open 
Fast  in  its  fire-bands,  when  he  with  hands  touched  it ; 
Then  burst  the  bale-bringer,  since  he  was  enraged, 
The  door  of  the  hall.     Soon  after  that 

725  On  the  many-colored  floor  the  fiendish  one  trod, 


726-760.T  BEOWULF.  23 

Mad  in  mind  went :  from  his  eyes  stood 
A  loathsome  light  likest  to  flame. 
He  saw  in  the  hall  many  of  warriors, 
A  band  in  peace  sleeping  all  together, 

730  A  heap  of  kin-warriors.     Then  laughed  his  mood, 
He  thought  that  he  would,  ere  day  came,  divide, 
The  terrible  monster,  of  every  one 
The  life  from  the  body,  since  to  him  was  fallen 
A  hope  of  much  food.     That  no  longer  was  fated, 

735  That  he  might  more  of  the  race  of  man 

Devour  by  night.     The  strong-in-might  saw, 
The  kinsman  of  H^^gelac,  how  the  fell  foe 
With  his  swift  attacks  was  going  to  act. 
That  did  not  the  monster  think  to  delay, 

740  But  quickly  he  seized  for  the  first  time 
A  sleeping  warrior,  him  tore  unresisting, 
Bit  his  bone-frame,  drank  blood  from  his  veins, 
In  great  bites  him  swallowed :  soon  then  he  had. 
Deprived  of  life,  him  all  devoured, 

745  Feet  even  and  hands.     Forth  nearer  he  stepped, 
Seized  then  with  his  hands  the  firm-iu-mind 
Warrior  at  rest.     Him  reached  out  against 
The  fiend  with  his  hand :  quickly  he  seized 
The  cunning-in-mind  and  on  his  arm  sat. 

750  Soon  this  perceived  the  worker  of  evil. 
That  he  never  found  in  this  mid-earth. 
In  the  regions  of  earth,  in  another  man 
A  greater  hand-grip  :  in  mood  he  became 
In  his  soul  frightened ;  he  could  not  sooner  forth. 

755  His  mind  was  death-ready  ;  into  darkness  would  fleci 
The  devil-band  seek :  his  course  was  not  there, 
As  he  in  old-days  before  had  found. 
Eemembered  he  then,  good  kinsman  of  Hygelac, 
His  evening-speech ;  upright  he  stood 

760  And  him  fast  seized :  his  fingers  cracked. 


24  BEOWULF.  [761-794, 

The  eoten  would  outwards :  the  earl  further  stepped  ; 
The  mighty  one  thought,  whereso  he  might, 
Afar  to  escape,  and  away  thence 
Flee  into  the  marshes :  he  knew  that  his  fingers 

765  Were  in  his  foe's  grip :  that  was  a  bad  journey 
That  the  harm-bringing  foe  had  taken  to  Heorot : 
The  royal  hall  sounded :  for  all  the  Danes  was, 
The  city-dwellers,  each  one  of  the  bold, 
For  earls  the  ale  spilt.     Angry  were  both 

770  Furious  contestants :  the  hall  cracked  aloud : 
Then  was  it  great  wonder  that  the  wine-hall 
Withstood  the  fierce  fighters,  that  it  to  ground  fell 

not. 
The  fair  folk-hall :  but  it  was  too  fast 
Within  and  without  in  its  iron  bands 

775  By  cunning  skill  forged.     There  from  the  sill  fell 
Many  a  mead-bench,  as  I  have  heard  say, 
Adorned  with  gold,  where  the  foes  fought. 
Of  this  before  weened  not  wise  men  of  the  Scyldinga 
That  it  ever  with  strength  any  of  men, 

780  Goodly  and  bone-adorned,  to  pieces  might  break, 
With  craft  destroy,  unless  flame's  embrace 
In  smoke  should  it  swallow.    The  sound  arose 
Often  repeated :  to  the  North-Danes  stood 
Fearful  terror,  to  every  one 

785  Of  those  who  from  the  wall  the  weeping  heard, 
The  terrible  song  sung  of  th'  opposer  of  God, 
The  J03'less  song,  his  pain  lament 
The  prisoner  of  hell.     He  held  hhn  too  fast, 
He  who  of  men  was  strongest  in  might 

790  In  the  day  then  of  this  mortal  life. 
XIII.  The  earl's  defence  would  on  no  account 
The  bringer  of  woes  let  go  alive. 
Nor  his  life-days  to  any  people 
Did  he  count  useful.     There  brandished  many 


795-829.]  BEOWULF.  25 

795  An  earl  of  BecwuU*  his  good  old  sword ; 
His  dear  lord's  life  he  would  defend, 
His  noble  chiefs,  whereso  they  might ; 
They  knew  not  indeed,  when  they  risked  the  contest, 
The  bold-in-mind  heroes  of  battle, 

800  And  on  each  side  they  thought  to  hew, 
To  seek  his  soul,  that  the  fiendish  demon 
Not  any  on  earth  choicest  of  weapons. 
No  one  of  war-swords,  was  able  to  touch, 
But  he  had  forsworn  victorious  weapons, 

805  Each  one  of  swords.     His  life-leaving  should, 
In  the  day  then  of  this  mortal  life. 
Miserably  happen,  and  the  strange-spirit 
Into  his  foes'  power  afar  depart. 
Then  that  he  perceived,  he  who  oft  before 

810  In  mirth  of  mind  against  mankind 

His  crimes  had  wrought,  hostile  to  God, 
That  his  body's  frame  him  would  not  sustain, 
But  him  the  proud  kinsman  of  Hygelac 
Had  by  the  hands  :  each  was  to  other 

815  Living  a  foe.     Pain  of  body  endured 

The  terrible  monster :  there  was  on  his  shoulder 
An  evident  wound ;  apart  sprang  the  sinews, 
The  bone-frame  burst.     To  Beowulf  was 
Battle-fame  given :  Grendel  should  thence 

820  Sick-of-life  flee  under  the  fen-slopes. 

Seek  his  joyless  abode  ;  too  surely  he  knew 
That  of  his  life  the  end  was  come, 
The  span  of  his  days.     To  all  of  the  Danes 
By  the  bloody  strife  was  the  wish  fulfilled ; 

825  He  then  had  cleansed,  who  ere  came  from  afar, 
Wise  and  valiant,  the  hall  of  Hrothgar, 
Saved  it  from  sorrow,  rejoiced  in  his  night-work, 
His  glorious  deeds.     Then  for  the  East-Danes 
The  prince  of  the  Geats  his  boast  had  performed, 


26  BEOWULF.  [830-85G. 

830  Likewise  the  sufferings  all  had  removed, 
Sorrows  from  foe,  which  they  ere  suffertjd, 
And  by  compulsion  had  to  endure, 
No  little  distress.     That  was  a  clear  proof, 
After  the  battle-brave  laid  down  the  hand, 

835  The  arm  and  the  shoulder  (there  all  was  together) , 
The  claw  of  Grendel  'neath  the  wide  roof. 


Joy  of  the  Danes.     TJie  minstreVs  song  of  Sigemund  and 
Fitela :  of  Heremod.     Hrothgafs  thanks  to  Beowulf, 

XrV.  Then  was  in  the  morning,  as  I  have  heard  say. 

Around  the  gift-hall  many  a  warrior : 

The  people's  leaders  from  far  and  near  came 
840  Through  the  wide  ways  the  wonder  to  view. 

The  tracks  of  the  foe.     Ne'er  did  his  life-severing 

Sorrowful  seem  to  any  of  men, 

Of  those  who  then  viewed  the  track  of  the  vanquished, 

How  weary  in  mind  he  away  thence, 
845  In  fight  overcome,  to  the  mere  of  the  nickers, 

Doomed  and  driven,  his  life-tracks  bore. 

There  was  the  surface  welling  in  blood ; 

The  frightful  waves'  lashing  all  commingled 

Hot  in  gore  boiled  with  the  sword-blood  ; 
850  The  doomed-to-death  dyed  them,  when  of  joys  de- 
prived 

In  his  fen-refuge  he  laid  down  his  life, 

His  heathen  soul,  where  hell  him  received. 

Thence  back  again  came  the  old  companions. 

And  many  a  young  one  from  their  glad  course, 
855  From  the  sea  proudly  riding  on  horses. 

Heroes  on  steeds.     There  then  was  Beowulf  s 


857-890.]  BEOWULF.  27 

Glory  proclaimed  :  oft  many  said 
That  south  nor  north  by  the  two  seas 
O'er  the  wide  earth  no  other  one 

860  *Neath  heaven's  expanse  was  better  than  he 
Of  bearers  of  shields,  more  worthy  of  rule. 
They  did  not  now  at  all  their  dear  lord  blame, 
The  friendly  Hrothgar,  but  that  was  a  good  king. 
Sometimes  the  battle-famed  permitted  to  leap, 

865  In  contest  to  go,  their  yellow  horses 

Where  the  land-roads  seemed  to  them  fair, 
Known  for  their  goodness.  Sometimes  a  king's  than e, 
A  man  renowned,  mindful  of  songs. 
He  who  very  many  of  old-time  sagas, 

870  A  great  number  remembered,  framed  other  words 
Rightly  connected :  the  scope  then  began 
Beowulf's  exploit  with  skill  to  tell, 
And  with  art  to  relate  well-composed  tales, 
Words  to  exchange  ;  he  told  everything 

875  That  he  of  Sigemund  had  heard  men  say. 
His  noble  deeds,  much  of  the  unknown. 
The  Waelsing's  contest,  his  journeys  wide. 
Which  the  children  of  men  did  not  well  know. 
The  feuds  and  crimes,  but  Fitela  with  him, 

880  When  he  some  such  thing  wished  to  relate, 
Uncle  to  nephew,  as  they  ever  were 
In  every  fight  comrades  in  need : 
They  had  very  many  of  the  race  of  the  eotens 
Slain  with  then*  swords.     To  Sigemund  came 

885  After  his  death-day  no  little  fame 

Since  he,  brave  in  war,  destroyed  the  dragon. 
The  guard  of  the  hoard :  he  'neath  the  gray  stone. 
The  prince's  son,  had  risked  alone 
The  very  bold  deed ;  not  with  him  was  Fitela ; 

890  Yet  it  happened  to  him  that  the  sword  pierced 
through 


28  BEOWULF.  [891-924. 

The  wonderful  worm,   that  it  in  the  wall  stood. 
The  lordly  weapon ;  in  death  lay  the  dragon. 
The  terrible  one  in  strength  had  prevailed, 
So  that  he  the  ring-hoard  himself  might  enjoy 

895  At  his  own  will ;  he  loaded  his  vessel, 

Bore  on  the  ship's  bosom  the  ornaments  bright, 
The  son  of  Waels ;  the  worm's  heat  melted  liim. 
He  was  of  exiles  the  greatest  by  far 
Among  the  nations,  the  warriors'  defence 

900  In  noble  deeds ;  for  that  ere  had  he  glory. 
After  of  Heremod  the  battle-might  failed, 
His  strength  and  prowess,  he  was  'mong  the  Jutes 
Into  his  foe's  power  forthwith  betrayed, 
Sent  away  quickly :  him  waves  of  sorrow 

905  Too  long  oppressed ;  he  was  to  his  people. 
To  all  of  his  princes,  a  life-long  distress : 
Likewise  oft  lamented  in  former  times 
The  brave  one's  journey  many  a  wise  churl. 
Who  trusted  in  him  for  help  in  misfortunes, 

910  That  the  son  of  their  prince  was  to  grow  up, 
Take  the  place  of  his  father,  his  people  possess. 
Hoard  and  head-city,  kingdom  of  heroes, 
Home  of  the  Scyldings.     He  was  there  to  all, 
The  kinsman  of  Hygelac,  to  the  race  of  man, 

915  To  friends  more  beloved :  Mm  sorrow  befell. — 
Sometimes  contending  the  yellow  roads 
With  their  horses  they  measured.    Then  was  morn- 
ing-light 
Advanced  and  hastened :  many  a  man  went, 
Brave  now  in  mind,  to  the  high  hall 

920  To  see  the  rare  wonder ;  the  king  himself  also 
From  his  bridal  chamber,  guardian  of  treasures, 
Stepped  strong  in  glory  with  a  great  crowd, 
Famed  for  his  virtues,  and  his  queen  with  him 
Measured  the  mead-path  with  her  maiden-band. 


025-959.]  BEOWULF.  29 

925  XV.    Hrotligar  then  spoke  (he  went  to  the  hall, 
Stood  by  the  column,  looked  at  the  high  roof 
Adorned  with  gold  and  at  Grendel's  hand ) : 
*'  For  this  glad  sight  thanks  to  the  Almighty 
Quickly  be  given  !  Much  evil  I  suffered, 

930  Sorrows  from  Grendel :  God  may  ever  work 
Wonder  on  wonder,  King  of  glory. 
Lately  it  was  that  I  for  myself 
Of  any  of  woes  weened  not  my  life  long 
Relief  to  obtain,  since  stained  with  blood 

935  The  noblest  of  houses  drenched  in  gore  stood ; 
Woe  was  brought  down  on  every  wise  man, 
Of  those  who  weened  not  that  they  in  then*  lives 
The  people's. land- work  from  foes  might  defend, 
From  demons  and  devils.     Now  hath  a  hero, 

940  Through  the  Lord's  might,  a  deed  performed, 
Which  we  all  before  were  not  at  all  able 
With  wisdom  to  work.     Lo  !  this  may  say 
Even  whatever  woman  brought  forth  this  son 
After  man's  nature,  if  she  yet  liveth, 

945  That  to  her  the  eternal  Creator  was  gracious 
In  her  child-bearing.     Now  1  thee,  Beowulf, 
Noblest  of  men,  for  myself  as  a  son 
Will  love  in  life  :  keep  well  henceforth 
The  kinship  new.     To  thee  shall  no  lack  be 

950  Of  earthly  wishes  o'er  which  I  have  power. 
Very  often  for  less  have  I  fixed  the  reward. 
The  share  of  the  treasure,  to  warrior  less  brave. 
One  worse  in  the  fight.     Thou  hast  for  thyself 
Effected  by  deeds  that  thy  fame  shall  live 

955  For  ever  and  ever.     May  thee  the  Almighty 
With  good  repay,  as  He  heretofore  did ! " 
Beowulf  then  spoke,  Ecgtheow's  son : 
"That  deed  of  might  we,  with  great  good-will. 
That  fight  have  fought,  boldly  encountered 


30  BEOWULF.  [960-990. 

960  The  strength  of  the  unknown :  I  rather  would  wish 
That  thou  himself  now  mightest  see. 
The  foe  in  his  battle-dress  wearied  to  death. 
I  quickly  him  with  hardest  grips 
Thought  then  to  bind  on  the  death-bed, 

965  That  he  by  hand-grip  of  mine  should  lie 
Striving  for  life,  if  his  body  escaped  not : 
I  might  not  him,  since  the  Creator  willed  not. 
Cut  off  from  escape :  not  so  firm  held  I  him. 
The  life-destroyer :  too  powerful  was  he, 

970  The  foe  in  his  speed.     Yet  his  hand  did  he  let 
For  life-protection  remain  behind. 
His  arm  and  shoulder :  not  there,  however. 
Did  the  helpless  man  gain  any  comfort. 
Not  longer  shall  live  the  evil-doer 

975  Burdened  with  sins,  but  him  sore  pain 
In  his  strong  grip  sternly  has  seized. 
In  his  bonds  of  bale :  there  shall  abide 
The  sin-stained  man  the  mickle  doom. 
How  the  glorious  Creator  to  him  will  prescribe." 

980  Then  was  more  silent  the  son  of  Ecglaf 
In  his  boasting-speech  of  warlike  deeds. 
After  the  princes,  by  the  earl's  might. 
Upon  the  high  roof  the  hand  had  viewed. 
The  foe-man's  fingers,  each  one  before  him : 

985  Each  place  of  the  nails  was  likest  to  steel, 

The  heathen's  hand-spurs,  the  battle-monster's 
Horrible  claw :  each  one  then  said 
That  him  would  touch  of  warlike  men 
No  excellent  weapon,  so  that  the  demon's 

990  Bloody  war-hand  it  would  break  off. 


991-1019.]  BEOWULF.  81 


VI. 

Feasting  and  presents  in  Heorot,  Hie  minstreVs  song  of 
Finn,  Hnaef,  and  Hengest.  Wealhtheovfs  greeting 
to  Beowulf,     All  retire  to  rest. 

XVI.  Then  quickly  was  ordered  Heorot  within 

By  hands  to  adorn ;  there  were  many  of  those, 
Of  men  and  of  women,  who  that  wine-hall, 
That  guest-room  prepared.     Gold-adorned  shone 
995  The  webs  on  the  walls,  many  wondrous  sights 
To  each  one  of  men,  who  on  such  look. 
That  building  bright  was  very  much  injured, 
All  the  interior  in  its  iron-bands  fast ; 
The  hinges  were  shivered ;  the  roof  alone  saved 

1000  Entirely  sound,  when  had  the  monster, 

Condemaed  for  his  crimes,  in  flight  escaped, 
Hopeless  of  life.     It  will  not  be  easy 
Fate  to  escape,  let  do  it  who  will ; 
But  each  shall  obtain  of  soul-bearing  men, 

1005  By  necessity  fixed  for  the  children  of  men, 
For  dwellers  on  earth,  the  place  prepared. 
Where  his  dead  body,  fast  in  his  death-bed. 
Shall  sleep  after  feast.  —  Then  was  the  fit  time 
That  to  the  hall  went  Healf dene's  son, 

1010  The  king  himself  the  feast  would  enjoy. 
Ne'er  heard  I  that  folk  in  greater  crowd 
Around  their  ring-giver  better  behaved. 
Went  then  to  the  benches  the  heroes  renowned 
Eejoiced  at  the  plenty :  courteously  shared 

1015  Many  a  mead-cup  the  kinsmen  of  these. 
The  bold-minded  ones  in  the  high  hall, 
Hrothgar  and  Hrothulf .     Heorot  within 
Was  filled  with  friends :  not  at  all  deeds  of  guile 
Did  the  Folk-Scyldings  at  this  time  prepare. 


32  BEOWULF.  [1020-1063. 

1020  Gave  then  to  Beowulf  Healfdene's  son 
A  golden  banner  as  victory's  reward, 
A  wreathed  standard,  helmet  and  burnie ; 
A  great  jewelled  sword  many  then  saw 
Before  the  chief  borne.     Beowulf  received 

1025  The  cup  in  the  hall.     Not  of  that  treasure-giving 
Before  the  warriors  need  he  be  ashamed  : 
Ne'er  heard  I,  more  courteously,  that  treasures  four 
With  gold  adorned,  many  of  men 
On  the  ale-bench  to  each  other  gave. 

1030  'Round  the  crown  of  the  helmet  head- protection 
A  boss  wound  with  wires  was  keeping  without, 
That  him  the  battle-swords  boldly  might  not, 
By  file  hardened,  injure,  when  the  shield- warrior 
Against  his  foes  in  battle  should  go. 

1035  The  carl's  defence  eight  horses  ordered, 
With  golden  trappings,  to  lead  in  the  hall 
In  under  the  barriers  :  on  one  of  these  stood 
A  saddle  art-decked,  with  treasure  adorned  ; 
That  was  the  battle-seat  of  the  high  king, 

1040  When  in  sword-play  Healfdene's  son 

Wished  to  engage  ;  ne'er  at  the  front  failed 
The  famed  one's  valor  when  corpses  fell. 
And  then  to  Beowulf  of  each  of  the  two 
The  prince  of  the  Ingwins  power  delivered, 

1045  Of  horses  and  weapons  :  bade  him  well  use  them. 
So  like  a  man  the  noble  prince. 
The  hoard-keeper  of  heroes,  contests  repaid 
With  horses  and  treasures,  such  as  never  will  blame 
He  who  will  speak  truth  according  to  right. 

1050  XVII.  Then  still  on  each  one  the  prince  of  earls, 
Of  those  who  with  Beowulf  the  watery  waves. trav- 
ersed, 
On  the  mead-bench  a  treasure  bestowed, 
A  sword  as  an  heir-loom,  and  bade  for  that  one 


1064-1088.]  BEOWULF.  33 

To  pay  with  gold,  whom  Grendel  before 

1055  With  evil  killed,  as  he  more  of  tliera  would, 
Had  not  tlie  wise  God  weird  averted, 
And  the  man's  courage :  the  Creator  ruled  all 
Of  the  race  of  mankind,  as  He  still  doth : 
Therefore  is  insight  everywhere  best, 

1060  Forethought  of  mind.     He  shall  abide  much 
Of  good  and  of  ill,  he  who  long  here 
In  these  days  of  sorrow  useth  the  world. 
There  song  and  music  was  all  together 
About  Healfdene*s  battle-leader ; 

1065  The  harp  was  played,  the  song  oft  rehearsed, 
When  joy  in  hall  Hrothgar's  minstrel 
Along  the  mead-bench  was  to  make  known : 
*'  He  sang  of  Finn's  sons  when  that  danger  befell 
The  heroes  of  Healfdene,  when  Hnaef  of  the  Scyldinga 

1070  In  Frisian  land  was  fated  to  fall. 

Then  indeed  Hildeburh  needed  not  praise 
The  faith  of  the  Jutes  :  guiltless  was  she 
Deprived  of  her  dear  ones  in  the  shield-play, 
Of  sons  and  of  brothers  :  by  fate  they  fell 

1075  Wounded  with  spear :  that  was  a  sad  woman. 
Not  without  reason  did  the  daughter  of  Hoc 
Lament  fate's  decree,  when  morning  came. 
When  she  under  heaven  might  then  behold 
The  death-bale  of  kinsmen,  where  she  before  had 

1080  Most  worldly  joy.     War  took  away  all 
The  thanes  of  Finn  except  a  few  only. 
So  that  he  could  not,  on  that  meeting-place, 
In  fight  with  Hengest  at  all  contend. 
Nor  even  the  remnant  rescue  by  war 

1085  From  the  chief's  thane :  but  they  offered  them  terms, 
That  they  for  them  other  hall  would  provide. 
Hall  and  high  seat,  that  they  power  of  half 
With  the  Jutes*  sons  were  to  possess, 


84  BEOWULF.  [1089-1122. 

And  at  treasure-givings  the  son  of  Folcwalda 

1090  On  every  day  would  honor  the  Danes, 

The  band  of  Hengest  with  rings  would  enrich, 
Even  as  much  with  costly  jewels 
Of  plated  gold,  as  he  the  Frisians 
In  the  beer-hall  would  encourage. 

1095  Then  they  confirmed  on  either  side 

A  firm  peace-compact :  Finn  to  Hengest, 

In  valor  invincible,  promised  with  oaths 

That  he  the  remnant,  by  the  doom  of  his  wise  men, 

In  honor  would  hold,  that  no  man  there 

1100  By  words  nor  works  the  compact  should  break. 
Nor  ever  through  cunning  should  violate  it. 
Though  they  their  ring-giver's  murderer  followed, 
Deprived  of  their  prince,  since  so  'twas  appointed 

them : 
If  then  of  the  Frisians  any  one  with  bold  speech 

1105  Of  that  bloody  feud  mindful  should  be, 

Then  the  edge  of  the  sword  it  should  avenge. 
The  oath  was  confirmed  and  treasure  of  gold 
From  the  hoard  taken.     Of  the  warlike  Scj^ldings 
The  best  of  the  warriors  was  at  the  p^'re  ready ; 

1110  At  the  funeral-pile  was  easily  seen 

The  blood-stained  sark,  the  all-golden  swine. 
The  boar  of  hard  iron,  many  a  prince 
Destroyed  b}'  wounds :  some  fell  in  slaughter. 
Hildeburh  bade  then  at  Hnaef 's  funeral-pyre 

1115  To  consign  to  the  flame  her  own  dear  son. 
The  body  to  burn  and  on  the  pyre  place. 
The  wretched  woman  wept  on  his  shoulder. 
Mourned  him  in  songs.     The  fierce  smoke  arose, 
Wound  to  the  clouds  the  greatest  of  fires, 

1120  Before  the  mound  roared :  the  heads  were  melted. 
The  wound-openings  burst ;  then  out  sprang  the  blood 
From  the  wound  of  the  body.     The  flame  swallowed 
aU, 


1123-1166.]  BEOWULF.  85 

Greediest  of  spirits,  of  those  whom  war  took 
Of  both  of  the  peoples  :  gone  was  their  breath.  — 

1125  XVIII.  Then  went  the  warriors  to  visit  the  dwellings, 
Deprived  of  their  friends,  Friesland  to  see, 
The  homes  and  high  cit3%     Hengest  then  still 
The  slaughter-stained  winter  dwelt  there  with  Finn, 
In  valor  invincible  ;  he  remembered  his  land, 

1130  Though  he  might  not  on  the  sea  drive 

The  ring-pro  wed  ship  :  in  storm  rolled  the  ocean. 
Fought  with  the  wind :  winter  the  waves  locked 
In  its  icy  bond,  until  came  another 
Year  in  the  dwellings,  as  now  still  do 

1135   (For  the}^  ever  observe  suitable  seasons) 

The  clear-shining  days.     Then  winter  was  gone, 
Fair  was  the  earth's  bosom :  strove  the  exile  to  go, 
The  guest  from  the  dwellings  ;  he  then  on  vengeance 
More  eagerl}'  thought  than  on  the  sea- voyage, 

1140  If  he  might  effect  a  hostile  meeting, 

And  in  it  remember  the  sons  of  the  Jutes. 

So  he  did  not  escape  the  fate  of  the  world 

When  Hunlaf 's  son  a  battle-sword,  '     I  ■     I 

Best  of  weapons,  thrust  in  his  breast;  ''^  ^     j 

1145  Well-known  were  its  edges  among  the  Jutes. 
Also,  bold-minded  Finn  afterwards  befell 
Death-bringing  sword-bale  at  his  own  home. 
When  the  fierce  battle  Guthlaf  and  Oslaf 
After  their  sea-journey  in  sorrow  lamented, 

1150  Blamed  him  for  their  woes :  his  flickering  life  might 
not 
Keep  itself  in  his  breast.     Then  was  the  hall  covered 
With  bodies  of  foes  ;  also  vas  Finn  slain. 
The  king  'mong  his  band,  and  the  queen  taken. 
The  Scyldings'  warriors  bore  to  their  ships 

1155  All  the  possessions  of  the  king  of  the  landy 
Such  as  they  might  find  at  Finn's  borne 


36  BEOWULF.  [1167-H85. 

Of  bright  jewels  and  gems.     They  on  the  sea-road 
The  royal  woman  to  the  Danes  bore. 
Led  to  their  people." — The  song  was  sung, 
1160  The  gleeman's  glee  :  the  sport  then  arose. 

Carousing  resounded  :  the  servants  out-poured 
Wine    from    the    wondrous    vessels.      Then    came 

Wealhtheow  forth. 
Going  under  her  golden  crown,  where  were  the  good 

ones  two 
Uncle  and  nephew  sitting :  then  were  they  still  at  peace, 
1165  Each  one  true  to  the  other.     There  also  the  orator 

Hunferth 
Sat  at  the  feet  of  the  SQ3^1dings'  lord :  each  of  them 

trusted  his  wisdom, 
That  he  great  courage  had,  tho*  to  his  kinsmen  he 

was  not 
Honest  in  play  of  the  swords.     Spoke  then  the  queen 

of  the  Scyldings : 
"Receive  thou  this  cup,  my  dearest  lord, 
1170  Giver  of  treasure.     Be  thou  in  health. 

Gold-friend  of  men,  and  to  the  Geats  speak 
With  mildest  words,  as  a  man  shall  do. 
Be  to  the  Geats  kind,  mindful  of  gifts  ; 
Near  and  afar  hast  thou  now  peace. 
1175  One  said  to  me  thou  for  a  son  would 

The  warrior  have.     Heorot  is  cleansed, 
The  bright  jewel-hall :  use  whilst  thou  mayest 
Many  rewards,  and  leave  to  th}'  kinsmen 
Folk  and  kingdom,  when  thou  shalt  forth 
1180  Fate's  decree  see.     I  know  well  indeed 

My  friendly  Hrothulf ,  that  he  the  youth  will 
In  honor  hold,  if  thou  sooner  than  he. 
Friend  of  the  Scyldings,  leavest  the  world: 
I  ween  that  he  with  good  will  repay 
1185  Our  own  children,  if  he  all  remember, 


1186-1220.]  BEOWULF.  37 

What  we,  through  good- will  and  also  through  honor, 
Of  kindnesses  showed  to  him  when  a  child." 
Turned  she  then  to  the  bench  where  were  her  sons, 
Hrethric  and  Hrothmund,  and  the  warriors*  children, 

1190  The  youth  together,  where  sat  the  good 
Beowulf  the  Geat  by  the  two  brothers. 

XIX .  To  him  was  a  cup  borne,  and  friendly  greeting 
Offered  in  words,  and  twisted  gold 
Gladly  presented,  arm-ornaments  two, 

1195  A  burnie  and  rings,  the  greatest  of  collars, 
Of  those  which  on  earth  I  ever  have  heard  of. 
Under  the  heaven  heard  I  of  no  better 
Hoard-jewel  of  heroes,  since  llama  bore 
To  the  bright  cit}'  the  Brosings'  collar, 

1200  Bright  jewel  and  ^stly  ;  —  he  fell  into  the  wiles 
Of  Eormenric,  eternal  fate  chose. 
This  ring  then  had  Higelac  the  Geat, 
The  grandson  of  Swerting,  the  very  last  time, 
When  he  under  his  banner  defended  the  treasure, 

1205  Battle-spoils  guarded :  Weird  took  him  away, 
When  he  for  pride  suffered  great  woes, 
Feud  from  the  Frisians  :  the  jewels  he  bore, 
The  precious  stones,  o'er  the  wave-holder. 
The  mighty  prince :  he  fell  under  his  shield, 

1210  The  life  of  the  king  into  th'  Franks'  keeping  went, 
Breast-battle-weeds  and  the  collar  together  : 
Warriors  inferior  plundered  the  slain 
After  the  overthrow  of  the  Geats'  people, 
The  battle-field  held.  —  The  hall  resounded. 

1215  Wealhtheow  then  said,  she  before  the  crowd  spoke 
^^Use  this  collar,  Beowulf  dear. 
Young  man,  with  joy,  and  make  use  of  this  burnie. 
People's  treasures,  and  thrive  thou  well ; 
Bear  thee  with  might  and  be  to  these  youths 

1220  Friendly  in  counsel ;  thy  reward  I'll  remember. 


88  BEOWULF.  [1221-1250. 

Thou  hast  now  caused  that  thee  far  and  near 

All  thy  life  long  men  shall  honor, 

Even  so  wide  as  the  sea  encircles, 

Winds  through  its  walls.     Be,  whilst  thou  livest, 

1225  Noble  prince,  happy.     I  grant  to  thee  well 
Precious  treasures.     Be  thou  to  my  sons 
Friendly  in  deeds,  thou  joyful  one : 
Here  is  each  earl  true  to  the  other. 
Mild  in  his  mood,  loyal  to  his  liege  lord ; 

1230  The  thanes  are  at  peace,  the  people  all  ready; 
Warriors  well-drunken,  do  as  I  bid." 
She  went  to  the  seat.     There  was  choicest  of  feasts, 
The  men  drank  the  wine :  weird  they  knew  not, 
Destiny  stern,  as  it  did  happen 

1235  To  many  of  earls,  when  evep  came 

And  Hrothgar  departed  to  go  to  his  court, 

The  mighty  to  rest.     The  hall  in-dwelt 

A  number  of  earls,  as  they  oft  before  did ; 

The}^  emptied  the  bench-space :  it  was  over-spread 

1240  With  beds  and  bolsters.     A  certain  beer-servant, 
Ready  and  fated,  lay  down  to  his  rest. 
They  placed  at  their  heads  the  battle- shields. 
The  bright  wooden  boards :  there  on  the  bench  was 
Over  the  warrior  easily  seen 

1 245  The  battle-high  helmet,  the  ringed  burnie, 
The  might}'  spear-shaft ;  their  custom  was 
That  they  often  were  ready  for  combat 
Both  at  home  and  in  army,  and  in  each  one  of  them 
Even  at  such  a  time  as  to  their  liege  lord 

1250  Need  there  might  be :  that  was  a  good  folk. 


1251-12771  BEOWULF.  89 

VII. 

The  coming  of  GrendeVs  mother.  Sorrow  is  renewed. 
Hrothgar  describes  the  mere.  Beowulf's  decision. 
His  descent  into  the  mere.  The  fight  with  Gren- 
deVs mother,  Beowulf  s  return,  hearing  GrendeVs 
head. 

XX.  They  went  then  to  sleep :  one  sorely  paid  for 
His  evening-rest,  as  to  them  often  happened 
When  the  gold-hall  Grendel  in-dwelt, 
Evil  deeds  wrought,  until  the  end  came, 

1255  Death  for  his  crimes.     That  became  plain, 
To  men  widely  known,  that  still  an  avenger 
Lived  for  his  foes.     For  a  long  time 
After  the  war-sorrow  Grendel's  mother, 
A  terrible  woman,  nourished  her  grief, 

1260  Who  was  said  to  inhabit  the  fearful  waters, 
The  ice-cold  streams,  since  Cain  became 
The  murderer  by  sword  of  his  only  brother, 
His  father's  son  ;  then  outlawed  he  went, 
With  murder  marked,  to  flee  human  joy, 

1265  Dwelt  in  the  waste.     Thence  many  sprang 

Of  the  demons  of  fate ;  of  these  one  was  Grendel, 
Hateful  and  ravenous,  who  in  Heorot  found 
A  watching  man  awaiting  the  battle 
Where  the  fell  monster  him  was  attacking : 

1270  Yet  he  remembered  the  strength  of  his  might, 
The  powerful  gift,  which  God  to  him  gave, 
And  on  the  Lord's  favor  relied  for  himself 
For  comfort  and  help :  so  the  fiend  overcame  he. 
Felled  the  demon  of  hell,  when  he  humbled  departedi 

1275  Deprived  of  joy,  his  death-place  to  see, 

The  foe  of  mankind.     And  still  his  mother. 
Greedy  and  raging,  wished  then  to  go 


40  BEOWULF.  [1278-1312. 

The  sorrowful  journey  her  son  to  avenge. 

She  came  then  to  Heorot,  where  the  Ring-Danes 

1280  Through  the  hall  slept :  then  there  was  soon 
A  change  to  the  earls,  when  within  entered 
Grendel's  mother.     The  terror  was  less 
Even  by  so  much  as  is  woman's  strength, 
A  woman's  war-terror,  esteemed  by  a  man, 

1285  When  a  bound  sword,  forged  l^y  the  hammer, 

The  sword  stained  with  gore,  the  boar  on  the  helmet, 
Strong  in  its  edges,  opposite  cleaves. 
Then  was  in  the  hall  the  hard-edged  drawn, 
The  sword  o'er  the  seats,  many  a  broad  shield 

1290  Raised  firm  in  hand:  of  helmet  one  tliought  not, 
Of  burnie  broad,  when  terror  him  seized. 
She  was  in  haste,  would  thence  away. 
Her  life  presei*ve,  when  she  was  discovered. 
Quickly  had  she  of  one  of  the  warriors 

1295  Firmly  laid  hold,  when  she  t^  fen  went : 
He  was  to  Urothgar  the  dearest  of  men 
In  the  office  of  comrade  by  the  two  seas, 
A  shield-warrior  strong,  whom  she  in  rest  killed, 
A  hero  renowned.     Not  there  was  Beowulf, 

1300  But  other  room  before  was  assigned. 

After  the  treasure-giving,  to  the  great  Geat. 
Noise  was  in  Heorot :  she  in  its  gore  took 
The  well-known  hand.     Grief  was  renewed 
Again  in  the  dwellings  ;  'twas  not  a  good  trade, 

1305  That  they  on  both  sides  payment  should  make 

With  the  lives  of  their  friends.  Then  was  the  old  king, 
The  hoary  warrior,  in  sorrowful  mood, 
When  he  his  chief  thane,  deprived  of  life. 
The  dearest  one,  knew  to  be  dead. 

1310  Quickly  was  Beowulf  brought  to  the  hall, 
The  victory-blest  hero.  At  dawn  of  day 
Went  one  of  earls,  the  noble  warrior, 


1313-134G.]  BEOWULF.  41 

Himself  with  his  comrades,    where  the   wise  one 

awaited, 
Whether  for  him  the  Ahnighty  will  ever, 

1315  After  this  woe-spell,  a  change  of  things  work. 
Went  then  on  the  floor  the  man  war-renowned 
With  his  band  of  men  (the  hall-wood  resounded) , 
Until  he  addressed  the  wise  one  in  words. 
The  lord  of  the  Ingwins,  asked  if  to  him  were, 

1320  As  he  had  wished,  the  night  undisturbed. 

XXI.  Hrothgar  then  spoke,  the  defence  of  the  Scyldings : 
**  Ask  not  thou  for  health.     Sorrow  's  renewed 
To  the  Danes'  people :  dead  is  Aeschere, 
Of  Yrraenlaf  the  elder  brother, 

1325  My  trusted  counsellor  and  my  adviser, 
My  right-hand  man,  when  we  in  battle 
Defended  our  heads,  when  warriors  engaged. 
When  the  boars  clashed :  such  should  an  earl  be, 
An  excellent  prince,  as  Aeschere  was. 

1330  She  was  to  him  the  murderer  in  Heorot, 

The  restless  death-demon :  I  know  not  whither, 
Proud  of  her  prey,  she  frightful  withdrew. 
Well-known  from  her  meal.     The  feud  she  avenge! 
For  that  thou  yester-night  Grendel  didst  kill 

1335  In  a  powerful  way  by  your  hard  grips. 
Because  he  too  long  my  own  people 
Lessened  and  killed :  in  battle  he  fell. 
Of  his  life  guilty,  and  now  came  another, 
A  mighty  fell  foe,  her  son  would  avenge, 

1340  And  further  has  laid  her  feud  upon  us  ; 
Wherefore  it  may  seem  to  many  a  thane. 
Who  for  his  ring-giver  mourns  in  his  mind, 
A  bale  hard  to  bear ;  now  lies  the  hand  helpless, 
Which  used  to  gratify  all  of  your  wishes. 

1345  I  the  land-dwellers,  my  own  people, 

Counsellors-in-hall,  that  have  heard  say 


42  BEOWULF.  [lS-t7-138L 

That  they  used  to  see  a  pair  of  such 
Mickle  mark-steppers  holding  the  moors, 
Spirits  of  elsewhere  :  one  of  these  was, 

1350  As  they  most  certainly  might  then  perceive, 
A  woman's  form :  the  other  one  wretched 
In  the  likeness  of  man  his  exile  trod — 
Except  he  was  greater  than  any  man  else  — 
Whom  in  3-ore-days  Grendel  they  named, 

1355  The  dwellers-on-earth  :  they  know  not  their  father, 
Whether  any  to  him  was  before  born 
Of  wicked  spirits.     They  in  a  dark  land, 
Cliffs  of  wolves,  dwell,  windy  nesses. 
Dangerous  marshes,  where  mountain-stream 

1360  Under  clouds  of  the  nesses  flows  down  below, 
Lake  under  the  earth.     It  is  not  far  hence 
In  measure  by  miles  that  the  mere  stands. 
Over  which  hang  the  rustling  groves. 
Wood  firm  in  its  roots ;  they  cover  the  water. 

1365  There  one  every  night  a  strange  wonder  may  see, 
Fire  on  the  flood :  so  wise  a  one  lives  not 
Of  the  children  of  men  that  knows  its  bottom : 
Although  the  heath-stepper  pressed  by  the  dogs, 
The  stag,  strong  in  homs,  may  seek  the  grove, 

1370  Pursued  from  afar,  his  life  will  he  give, 
His  life  on  the  shore,  ere  in  it  he  will 
Hide  there  his  head.     That  *s  no  unhaunted  place ; 
Thence  the  boiling  of  waters  rises  up  high 
Wan  to  the  clouds,  when  the  wind  rouses 

1375  The  hateful  storms,  while  dark  grows  the  air, 
The  heavens  weep^  Now  is  ready  counsel 
Again  in  thee  alone.  The  abode  yet  thou  knowest  not 
The  teri'ible  place,  where  thou  mayest  find 
The  much-sinning  being :  seek  if  thou  dare. 

1380  I  for  the  contest  thee  will  repay 

With  old-time  treasures,  as  I  before  did, 


1382-1416.]  BEOWULF.  48 

With  twisted  gold,  if  thou  comest  away." 

XXII.  Beowulf  then  spoke,  Ecgtheow's  son  : 

*'  Sorrow  not,  wise  man  !    It  is  better  for  each 

1385  That  his  friend  he  avenge  than  that  he  mourn  much 
Each  of  us  shall  the  end  await 
Of  worldly  life  :  let  him  .who  may^gain 
Honor  ere  death.     That  is  for  a  warrior, 
When  he  is  dead,  afterwards  best. 

1390  Arise,  kingdom's  guardian!     Let  us  quickly  go 
To  view  the  track  of  Grenders  kinsman. 
I  promise  it  thee  :  he  will  not  escape, 
Nor  in  earth's  bosom,  nor  in  mountain-wood, 
Nor  in  ocean's  depths,  go  where  he  will. 

1395  Throughout  this  day  do  thou  patience  have 
Of  each  of  thy  woes,  as  I  ween  of  thee  !" 
Up  leaped  the  ag^d  one,  thanked  he  then  God, 
The  mighty  Lord,  for  what  the  man  spoke. 
Then  was  for  Hrothgar  a  horse  provided, 

1400  A  steed  with  curled  mane :  the  ruler  wise 

Well-equipped  went ;   the  band  stepped  forth 
Of  bearers  of  shields.     The  foot-tracks  were 
On  the  forest-paths  widely  perceived, 
The  course  o'er  the  plain  :  she  went  straight  ahead 

1 405  O'er  the  murky  moor,  of  knightly  thanes  bore 
The  noblest  one  deprived  of  life. 
Of  those  who  with  Hrothgar  defended  his  home. 
Went  he  then  over,  the  offspring  of  princes, 
The  steep,  stony  slopes,  the  narrow  ways, 

1410  The  strait  single  paths,  the  unknown  course. 
The  headlands  steep,  many  houses  of  nickers. 
He  one  of  few  went  on  before, 
Of  the  wise  men,  the  plain  to  view. 
Until  he  all  at  once  the  mountain-ttees 

1415  O'er  the  gray  stone  found  bending  down. 
The  joyless  wood :  the  water  stood  under 


44  BEOWULF.  [1417-U51. 

Gory  and  restless.     To  all  the  Danes  'twas, 
To  the  friends  of  the  Scyldings,  bitter  in  mood, 
To  many  a  thane  sorrow  to  suffer, 

1420  To  each  one  of  earls,  after  of  Aeschere 
On  the  holm-clitf  the  head  they  found. 
The  flood  boiled  with  blood  (the  people  looked  on) , 
With  the  hot  gore.     The  horn  at  times  sang 
The  ready  war-song.     All  the  warriors  sat  down  ; 

1425  They  saw  then  in  the  water  many  of  worm-kind, 
Strange  sea-dragons,  seeking  the  sea, 
Such  nickers  lying  out  on  the  ness-slopes, 
As  at  mid-day  often  prepare 
A  sorrowful  voyage  on  the  sail-road, 

1430  Worms  and  wild  beasts  :  rushed  they  away 
Fierce  and  angry ;  the  noise  they  perceived 
The  war- horn  sound.     The  prince  of  the  Geats 
With  his  arrowed  bow  deprived  one  of  life. 
Of  strife  with  the  sea,  so  that  stood  in  his  vitals 

1435  The  hard  war-arrow :  he  was  in  the  holm 

The  slower  in  swimming,  whom  death  took  away. 
Quickly  was  in  the  waves  with  their  boar-spears, 
Their  hooked  swords,  fiercely  attacked. 
Pressed  after  with  struggles  and  to  the  ness  drawn. 

1440  The  wonderful  monster :  the  men  looked  upod 
The  terrible  stranger.     Beowulf  girded  him 
With  noble  armor,  not  for  life  did  he  care  : 
The  war-burnie  should,  woven  with  hands. 
Wide  and  well-wrought,  seek  out  the  sea, 

1445  That  which  his  body  could  well  protect. 

So  that  him  battle-grip  might  not  in  breast. 
The  mad  one's  assault,  injure  in  life : 
But  the  bright  helmet  protected  his  head. 
Which  was  to  mingle  with  the  depths  of  the  sea, 

1450  Adorned  with  treasure  seek  the  sea- waves. 
Encircled  with  diadem,  as  in  days  of  old 


U52-1486.]  BEOWULF.  45 

The  weapon-smith  wrought  it,  wondrously  framed  it. 
Set  with  swine-bodies,  so  that  it  never  after 
The  flaming  war-swords  might  be  able  to  bite. 

1455  That  was  not  then  the  least  of  strong  helps, 
That  to  him  in  need  Hrothgar*s  orator  lent : 
Of  that  hilted  sword  Hrunting  was  name ; 
That  was  a  chief  one  of  old-time  treasures ; 
Its  edge  was  of  iron,  with  poison- twigs  stained, 

1460  Hardened  with  battle-gore  ;  ne'er  failed  it  in  fight 
Any  of  men,  who  it  wielded  with  hand. 
He  who  durst  tread  the  terrible  paths. 
The  folk-place  of  foes :  that  was  not  the  first  time, 
That  deeds  of  valor  it  should  perform. 

1465  The  kinsman  of  Ecglaf  remembered  not  now. 
Mighty  in  strength,  what  he  before  spoke 
Drunken  with  wine,  when  the  weapon  he  lent   . 
To  a  better  sword-bearer ;  he  himself  durst  not 
Under  waves'  tumult  venture  his  life, 

1470  Heroic  deeds  work ;  there  he  lost  fame, 
A  name  for  valor ;  not  so  with  the  other. 
When  he  for  battle  himself  had  prepared. 

XXni.  Beowulf  then  spoke,  Ecgtheow's  son : 

"  Bethinli  thyself  now,  great  kinsman  of  Healfdene, 

1475  Thou  ruler  wise,  now  I'm  for  the  way  ready, 
Gold-friend  of  men,  of  what  we  once  spoke, 
If  I  in  thy  service  should  at  any  time 
Of  my  life  be  deprived,  that  thou  wouldst  ever  be 
To  me  when  gone  hence,  in  stead  of  a  father. 

1480  Be  thou  a  protector  to  my  knightly  thanes, 
My  trusty  comrades,  if  war  take  me  off: 
Also  the  treasures,  which  thou  gavest  me. 
Do  thou,  dear  Hrothgar,  to  Hygelac  send. 
May  then  by  the  gold  the  Geat's  lord  perceive, 

1485  Hrethel's  son  see,  when  he  looks  on  the  treasure, 
That  I  did  one  find  in  man's  virtues  good. 


46  BEOWULF.  [1487-1519. 

A  giver  of  rings,  him  enjoyed  while  I  might. 
And  do  thou  let  Hunferth  the  ancient  relic, 
The  wonderful  sword,  the  widely-known  man 

1490  The  hard-edged  have.     I  shall  with  Hrunting 
Fame  for  me  gain,  or  death  will  me  take." 
After  these  words  the  prince  of  the  Weder-Geats 
Hastened  with  valor,  not  for  an  answer 
Would  he  await.     The  water-flood  took 

1495  The  mighty  warrior :  then  was  a  day's  space 
Ere  the  bottom-plain  he  might  perceive. 
Soon  that  discovered  she  who  the  flood's  realm, 
Eager  for  blood,  for  fifty  years  held. 
Grim  and  greedy,  that  there  some  one  of  men 

1500  The  monster's  abode  sought  out  from  above. 

She  grasped  then  against  him,  the  warrior  seized 
Jn  her  terrible  claws ;  not  sooner  she  injured 
His  body  sound :  the  burnie  him  shielded. 
So  that  she  might  not  pierce  through  the  corslet, 

1505  The  locked  linked  sark,  with  fiendish  fingers. 

Bore  then  the  sea-wolf,   when    she  came  to  the 

bottom, 
The  giver  of  rings  to  her  own  abode, 
So  that  he  might  not,  tho'  he  was  brave, 
His  weapons  wield,  but  him  many  strange  ones 

1510  Oppressed  in  the  sea:  many  a  sea-beast 
With  battle-tusks  his  war-sark  brake ; 
The  monsters  harassed  him.    The  earl  then  per- 
ceived 
That  he  in  sea-hall,  he  knew  not  what,  was. 
Where  him  no  water  in  aught  might  harm, 

1515  Nor  for  the  roofed  hall  might  lay  hold  of  him 
Sudden  grip  of  the  flood :  the  fire-light  he  saw. 
The  brilliant  beams  brightly  shining. 
The  good  one  perceived  then  the  wolf  of  the  bottom, 
The  mighty  mere-woman  ;  he  gave  a  strong  stroke 


t520-1553.]  BEOWULF.  47 

1520  With  his  battle-bill,  withheld  not  the  blow, 
So  that  on  her  head  the  ringed  blade  sounded 
A  greedy  war-song.     Then  the  stranger  perceived 
That  the  war-weapon  would  not  cleave  through, 
Injure  her  life,  but  the  edge  failed 

1525  The  prince  in  his  need :  before  it  endured 
Many  hand-meetings,  the  helmet  oft  clave, 
The  fated  one's  corslet :  that  was  the  first  time 
To  the  dear  treasure  that  power  had  failed. 
Again  was  determined,  not  lacking  in  prowess, 

1530  Mindful  of  fame,  the  kinsman  of  Hygelac : 

Then  threw  the  etched  brand,  with  jewels  adorned. 
The  angry  warrior,  that  it  on  the  earth  lay, 
Strong  and  steel-edged ;  he  trusted  to  strength^ 
The  hand-grip  of  might :  so  shall  a  man  do, 

1535  When  he  in  war  thinketh  to  gain 

Praise  everlasting,  nor  for  his  life  careth. 

Seized  then  by  the  shoulder  (cared  she  not  for  the 

contest) 
The  War-Geats'  prince  Grendel's  mother. 
Threw  then  battle-brave,  for  he  was  enraged, 

1540  The  life-destroyer,  that  she  on  the  floor  fell. 
She  him  again  quickly  the  hand-grip  repaid 
With  her  fierce  claws,  and  seized  him  fast : 
Then  stumbled  the  weary  one,  strongest  of  warriors, 
The  fighter-on-foot,  so  that  he  fell. 

1545  She  sat  on  the  hall-guest  and  drew  her  short  sword. 
Broad  and  brown-edged,  her  son  would  avenge. 
Her  only  child.     On  his  shoulder  lay 
The  braided  breast-net :  that  his  life  saved, 
Against  point  and  edge  entrance  withstood. 

1550  Then  had  he  perished,  Ecgtheow's  son, 

'Neath  the  broad  bottom,  the  chief  of  the  GeatSf 
Had  not  the  war-burnie  lent  help  to  him. 
The  hard  battle-net,  and  had  not  holy  God 


48  BEOWULF.  [1554-1586. 

Directed  the  victory,  the  all-knowing  Lord ; 

1555  The  Ruler  of  heaven  adjudged  it  aright ; 
Easily  afterwards  he  again  rose. 

XXIV.  *Mongst  the  armor  he  saw  then  a  victory-blessed 
weapon, 
Old  sword  of  the  eotens  strong  in  its  edges. 
Honor  of  warriors :  that  was  choicest  of  weapons, 

1560  But  it  was  greater  than  any  man  else 
To  the  war-play  was  able  to  bear. 
Good  and  ornate,  the  hand- work  of  giants. 
He  seized  the  chained  hilt,  the  Scyldings'  champion, 
Eaging   and  battle-fierce,  the  ringed  sword  bran- 
dished, 

1565  Hopeless  of  life  angrily  struck. 

So  that  'gainst  her  neck  it  strongly  grasped. 
Broke  the  bone-rings ;  the  bill  pierced  through 
Her  fated  body  :  she  on  the  floor  fell ; 
The  sword  was  bloody,  in  his  deed  he  rejoiced. 

1570  The  blade's  beam  shone,  the  light  stood  within, 
Just  as  from  heaven  brightly  doth  shine 
The  firmament's  candle.     He  looked  through  the  hall  j 
Turned  then  by  the  wall,  uplifted  the  weapon 
Strong  by  its  hilts  Higelac's  thane, 

1575  Angry  and  firm :  the  edge  was  not  useless 
To  the  war-hero,  but  he  quickly  would 
Grendel  repay  many  warlike  assaults 
Of  those  which  he  wrought  to  the  West-Danes 
Oftener  by  far  than  for  one  time, 

1580  When  he  of  Hrothgar  the  hearth-companions 
Slew  in  their  sleep,  whilst  sleeping  ate 
Of  the  Danes'  folk  fifteen  of  men, 
And  such  another  bore  he  away, 
A  sorrowful  prey :  he  paid  him  for  that, 

1585  The  warrior  fierce,  as  he  in  rest  saw 
Weary  of  war  Grendel  there  lying 


1587-1620.  J  BEOWULF.  49 

Of  life  deprived,  as  him  before  injured 

The  combat  at  Heorot.     His  body  sprang  far, 

When  he  after  death  suffered  the  blow, 

1590  The  strong  sword-stroke,  that  struck  off  his  head. — 
Soon  that  perceived  the  cunning  churls, 
Those  who  with  Hrothgar  gazed  on  the  sea, 
That  the  waves-stirring  all  was  commingled, 
The  surge  stained  with  blood.  The  hoary-haired  elders 

1595  Concerning  the  good  one  together  thus  spoke, 
That  they  for  the  prince  looked  not  again, 
That  he,  flushed  with  victory,  would  come  to  seek 
Their  mighty  chief,  since  it  seemed  to  so  many 
That  the  sea-wolf  him  had  destroyed. 

1600  Then  came  the  ninth  hour ;  the  ness  forsook 

The  valiant  Scyldings :  he  departed  thence  home, 
The  gold-friend  of  men.     The  strangers  sat, 
Sick  in  their  mind,  and  stared  on  the  sea : 
They  knew  and  weened  not,  that  they  their  dear  lord 

1605  Himself  might  see.  —  The  sword  then  began 

On  account  of  the  battle-gore  in  clots  of  blood 
The  war-bill  to  vanish  (that  was  a  wonder). 
So  that  it  all  melted  likest  to  ice, 
When  the  frost's  fetters  the  Father  unlooses, 

1610  The  ice-rope  unwinds.  He  who  has  control 
Of  times  and  tides  :  that  is  true  Creator. 
Took  he  not  in  the  dwelling,  the  Weder-Geats'  prince, 
More  of  rich  treasures,  though  he  many  there  saw. 
But  only  the  head  and  the  hilts  together, 

1615  With  jewels  adorned:  the  sword  ere  melted. 

The  etched  brand  burnt :  the  blood  was  so  hot, 
The  strange-spirit  poisonous,  who  therein  died. 
Soon  was  he  swimming  who  lived  through  the  strife, 
The  foes*  fierce  assault,  dived  he  up  through  the 
water : 

1620  The  stirrings  of  waves  all  w^re  cleansed, 


60  BEOWULF.  [1621-1647 

The  regions  wide,  when  the  strange-spirit 
Left  his  life-days  and  this  fleeting  creation. 
Came  then  to  the  land  the  seamens'  protector 
Strong-minded  swimming,  joyed  in  his  sea-booty, 

1625  The  mighty  burden  of  what  he  had  with  him. 

They  went  then  to  meet  him,  gave  thanks  to  God 
The  brave  band  of  thanes,  rejoiced  in  their  chief. 
For  that  they  him  safe  might  again  see. 
Then  from  the  strong  one  helmet  and  burnie 

1630  Quickly  was  loosed :  the  lake  became  thick, 
Water  under  the  clouds  stained  with  war-gore. 
Forth  went  they  thence  on  the  foot-paths 
Glad  in  their  hearts,  measured  the  land-ways. 
The  well-known  roads  ;  the  very  bold  men 

1635  Fium  the  sea-cliff  were  bearing  the  head 
With  great  exertion  to  each  one  of  them  : 
Of  the  courageous  four  warriors  should 
On  the  spear-shaft  with  labor  bear 
To  the  gold-hall  the  head  of  Grendel, 

1640  Until  forthwith  to  the  hall  came 

Fourteen  brave  men  and  fierce  in  war 

Of  the  Geats  going :  the  lord  of  men  with  them, 

Brave  in  the  crowd,  trod  the  mead-plains. 


VIII. 

Beowulf  s  account  of  the  fight.  Hrothgar's  moralizing 
speech.  On  the  morrow  Beowulf  bids  farewell  to 
Hrothgar,  receives  presents^  and  returns  to  his 
ship. 

Then  entering  came  the  prince  of  the  thanes, 
1645  The  man  brave  in  deeds,  honored  in  fame, 
The  battle-fierce  warrior,  Hrothgar  to  greet. 
Then  was  by  the  hair  on  the  floor  borne 


1648-1682.J  BEOWULF.  51 

The  bead  of  Grendel,  where  the  men  drank, 
Frightful  to  earls  and  the  lady  also, 

1650  A  wonderful  sight :  the  men  on  it  gazed. 

XXV.  Beowulf  then  spoke,  Ecgtheow*s  son : 

''Lo !  we  thee  this  sea-booty,  son  of  Healfdene, 
Prince  of  the  Scyldmgs,  with  joy  have  brought 
As  a  token  of  fame,  which  thou  gazest  on  here. 

1655  I  that  with  my  life  scarcely  escaped ; 
Under  water  in  battle  risked  I  the  work 
With  great  exertion ;  almost  would  have  been 
Ended  the  struggle,  had  not  me  God  shielded. 
I  might  not  in  battle  with  Hrunting  the  sword 

1660  Aught  then  perform,  though  that  weapon  is  good  : 
But  the  Ruler  of  men  granted  to  me 
That  I  on  the  wall  saw  beautiful  hanging 
An  old  miijhty  sword  (often  has  He  directed 
Those  without  friends),  that  I  brandished  the  weapon. 

1665  Then  I  slew  in  the  contest,  when  time  favored  me. 
The  house's  keepers.     Then  did  the  battle-bill, 
The  etched  brand,  burn,  as  sprang  forth  the  blood, 
The  hottest  of  battle-gore :  I  the  hilt  thence 
Bore  from  my  foes,  avenged  their  ill-deeds, 

1670  Death-plague  of  the  Danes,  as  it  was  right. 

I  promise  thee  then  that  thou  mayest  in  Heorot, 
Sorrowless  sleep  with  thy  warrior-band, 
,  And  each  of  the  thanes  of  thine  own  people. 
Of  old  and  of  young ;  thou  needst  not  for  them  fear, 

1675  Chief  of  the  Scyldings,  from  this  direction 
Life-bale  for  thy  earls,  as  thou  didst  before." 
Then  was  the  golden  hilt  to  the  old  warrior, 
The  hoary  war-chief,  given  in  hand. 
The  old  work  of  giants :  it  went  into  the  keeping, 

1 680  Since  the  fall  of  the  devils,  of  the  lord  of  the  Danes, 
The  cunning  smiths'  work,  when  this  world  forsook 
The  bad-hearted  being,  the  opposer  of  God, 


52  BEOWULF.  [1683-1713. 

Devoted  to  death,  and  his  mother  also  i 
It  went  into  the  power  of  the  noblest  one 

1685  Of  the  world-kings  by  the  two  seas, 

Of  those  who  in  Sceden-ig  treasure  divided. 
Hrothgar  then  spoke,  on  the  hilt  looked, 
The  old  relic  on  which  was  the  origin  written 
Of  an  old  contest :  the  flood  afterwards  slew, 

1690  The  rushing  sea,  the  race  of  the  giants ; 
Badly  they  fared  :  that  people  was  hostile 
To  the  Lord  eternal ;  therefor  a  reward 
Through  waters'  flood  the  Almighty  them  gave. 
So  was  on  the  guard  of  purest  gold 

1695  In  runic  letters  rightly  engraved, 

Was  set  and  said,  for  whom  that  sword, 

Choicest  of  weapons,  first  had  been  wrought 

With  wreathed  hilt  snake-adorned.     Then  the  chief 

spoke, 
The  son  of  Healfdene  (kept  silent  all)  : 

1700  *'Lo !  that  he  may  say  who  truth  and  right 
Works  for  his  people,  the  past  all  remembers, 
An  old  home-guardian,  that  this  earl  was 
One  born  of  the  best.     Thy  fame  is  wide-spread 
Through  distant  ways,  Beowulf  my  friend, 

1705  Over  each  nation  :    with  patience  thou  boldest  it  all. 
Thy  might  with  prudence  of  mind.     I  shall  to  thee 

grant 
My  friendship,  as  we  before  spoke:  thou  shalt  be 

for  comfort, 
AH  long-assured,  to  thine  own  people. 
To  heroes  for  help.     Not  so  was  Heremod 

1710  To  the  children  of  Ecgwela,  the  Honor-Scyldings ; 
He  throve  not  for  their  pleasure, .  but  for  their 

slaughter. 
And  for  death-plagues  to  the  Danes'  people : 
Slew  he  enraged  his  table-compauions, 


1714-1748.]  BEOWULF.  63 

His  chosen  comrades,  till  he  went  alone, 

1715  The  mighty  prince,  from  human  joys  : 

Though  him  mighty  God  in  joy  of  strength. 

In  power  exalted,  over  all  men 

Him  had  uplifted,  yet  in  his  heart  grew 

A  bloodthirsty  feeling :  he  did  not  give  rings 

1720  To  the  Danes  by  right :  joyless  abode  he, 
So  that  for  this  strife  sorrow  he  suffered. 
Misery  lasting.     By  that  teach  thou  thyself, 
Practise  man's  virtues.     This  tale  for  thee 
Have  I,  old  in  years,  told.     'Tis  a  wonder  to  say 

1725  How  mighty  God  to  the  race  of  mankind. 
Through  His  great  mind,  wisdom  divides, 
Homes  and  nobility :  He  rules  over  all. 
Sometimes  on  love  permits  He  to  turn    . 
The  thoughts  of  the  man  of  mighty  race, 

1730  Gives  him  in  his  home  the  joy  of  earth, 
A  sheltering  city  of  men  to  possess, 
Makes  subject  to  him  parts  of  the  world, 
A  kingdom  wide,  so  that  he  of  it  may  not, 
For  his  lack  of  wisdom,  think  of  the  end : 

1735  He  dwells  in  plenty,  nor  him  does  aught  check, 
Sickness  nor  age,  nor  for  him  does  sorrow 
Grow  dark  in  his  mind,  nor  a  foe  anywhere 
Show  him  sword-hate,  but  for  him  all  the  world 

XXVI.  Wends  at  his  will.     He  knows  not  the  worse, 

1740  Until  him  within  a  portion  of  pride 

Waxes  and  grows,  when  sleeps  the  keeper, 
The  guard  of  the  soul :  that  sleep  is  too  firmly 
Bound  up  with  sorrows ;  very  nigh  is  the  slayer, 
Who  from  arrowed  bow  spitefully  shoots. 

1745  Then  is  he  in  his  breast  pierced  under  his  helmet 
With  a  sharp  arrow :  he  cannot  defend  him 
From  the  evil  strange-orders  of  that  cursed  spirit : 
Him  seems  it  too  little  what  he  long  held ; 


54  BEOWULF.  [1749-178S 

He  with  evil  mind  covets,  gives  not  for  boasting 

1 750  Gold-plated  rings,  and  he  future  fate 

Forgets  and  neglects,  for  God  gave  him  before, 
The  Ruler  of  glory,  a  share  of  earth's  honors. 
It  at  the  end  afterwards  happens 
That  the  frail  body  fleeting  doth  fail, 

1755  Fated  doth  fall:  another  succeeds, 

He  who  undisturbed  treasures  divides, 
The  earl's  former  store,  cares  not  for  its  owner. 
Guard  against  wrong-doing,  Beowulf  dear. 
Best  one  of  heroes,  and  choose  thou  the  better, 

1760  Counsels  eternal.     Care  not  for  pride. 

Mighty  warrior.     Now  is  thy  strength's  fame 
Lasting  a  while :  soon  after  it  shall  be 
That  sickness  or  sword  shall  rob  thee  of  might, 
Or  clutch  of  the  fire,  or  swell  of  the  flood, 

1765  Or  grip  of  the  sword,  or  flight  of  the  arrow, 
Or  fearful  old  age,  or  light  of  the  eyes 
Shall  fail  and  grow  dark :  it  suddenly  shall  be 
That  thee,  great  warrior,  death  shall  overcome. 
So  I  the  Ring-Danes  a  hundred  half-years 

1770  Ruled  under  heavens,  and  secured  them  by  war 
Against  many  tribes  throughout  this  mid-earth, 
With  spears  and  with  swords,  so  that  any  foe 
Under  circuit  of  heaven  reckoned  I  not. 
Lo !  to  me  in  my  home  a  change  of  this  came, 

1775  Sorrow  for  joy,  after  Grendel  became 

The  foe  of  long  years,  my  constant  home-seeker : 
I  from  this  hostility  continually  suffered 
Much  sorrow  of  mind.     Thanks  to  the  Creator, 
The  Lord  eternal,  whilst  in  life  I  remained, 

1780  That  I  on  this  head  drenched  with  gore, 
After  long  sorrow,  look  with  my  eyes. 
Go  now  to  thy  seat,  partake  of  feast- joy, 
Thou  honored  in  war.     To  us  shall  be  many 


1784-1818.]  BEOWULF.  55 

Of  treasures  in  common,  when  morning  shall  come." 

1785  The  Geat  was  glad-minded,  went  he  then  soon 
His  seat  to  take,  as  the  wise  one  bade. 
Then  was  as  before  for  the  courageous 
Sitters-in-hall  fitly  prepared 
Another  time.     Night's  canopy  lowered 

1790  Dark  o'er  the  warriors.     The  band  all  arose ; 
The  white-haired  one  his  bed  would  seek, 
The  ag6d  Scylding.     The  Geat  beyond  measure, 
The  brave  shield-warrior,  it  pleased  to  rest : 
Soon  the  hall-thane  him  of  his  way  weary, 

1795  The  comer- from-far,  forth  led  to  his  couch, 
He  who  through  courtesy  all  would  supply 
Of  the  wants  of  the  thane,  as  at  that  day 
The  farers-by-sea  were  wont  to  have. 
The  great-hearted  rested :  the  hall  arose 

1800  Wide  and  gold-decked :  the  guest  slept  within. 
Until  the  black  raven  the  joy  of  heaven 
Blithe-hearted  announced,  when  came  the  bright  light 
Shooting  o'er  shadows.     The  warriors  hastened : 
The  aethelings  were  back  to  their  people 

1805  Ready  to  go :  he  would  far  thence, 

The  high-minded  guest,  visit  his  vessel. 
The  brave  one  then  bade  Hrunting  bear 
The  son  of  Ecglaf ,  bade  take  his  sword, 
Precious  weapon,  thanked  him  for  the  loan, 

1810  Said  that  he  counted  the  war-friend  good, 
Mighty  in  battle,  not  in  words  blamed  he 
The  edge  of  the  sword :  that  was  a  brave  man. 
When  for  their  march  ready,  in  armor  equipped. 
The  warriors  were,  went  by  the  Danes  honored 

1815  The  prince  to  the  throne,  where  was  the  other, 
The  battle-brave  man :  Hrothgar  he  greeted. 

3CXVII.  Beowulf  spoke,  Ecgtheow's  son : 
**Now  we  sea-goers  desire  to  say. 


56  BEOWULF.  [1819-1853. 

Comers-from-far,  that  we  intend 

1820  Hjgelac  to  seek :  we  were  here  well 

Supplied  in  our  wishes :  thou  served'st  us  well. 
If  I  then  on  earth  may  in  any  manner 
More  of  thy  heart's  love  gain  for  myself, 
Ruler  of  men,  than  I  have  yet  done, 

1825  For  works  of  war  I  soon  shall  be  ready. 
If  I  that  learn  o'er  the  flood's  course, 
That  thee  thy  neighbors  with  dread  oppress, 
As  hating  thee  they  sometimes  have  done, 
To  thee  I  shall  bring  thousands  of  thanes, 

1830  Of  heroes  for  help.     Of  Hygelac  I  know. 
Lord  of  the  Geats,  though  he  be  young 
Chief  of  his  folk,  that  he  me  will  aid 
By  words  and  by  deeds  that  I  may  thee  honor, 
And  to  thee  for  help  my  spear-shaft  bear, 

1835  The  power  of  my  might,  if  thou  needest  men. 
If  Hrethric  then  at  the  courts  of  the  Geats, 
The  king's  son,  aid  seeks,  he  may  there  many 
Of  his  friends  find :  far  countries  will  be 
Better  sought  for  by  him  who  is  worthy." 

1840  Hrothgar  then  spoke  to  him  in  answer : 
"These  words  to  thee  the  all-wise  Lord 
Sent  into  thy  mind :  ne'er  heard  I  more  wisely 
In  so  youthful  age  any  man  speak : 
Thou  art  in  might  strong  and  in  mind  old, 

1845  A  counsellor  wise.     I  count  on  the  hope. 
If  this  may  happen  that  the  spear  take. 
Terrible  battle,  the  son  of  Hrethel, 
Sickness  or  weapon,  thine  own  chieftain. 
People's  shepherd,  and  thou  hast  thy  life, 

1850  That  tne  Sea-Geats  will  not  have  a  better. 
To  choose  as  their  king,  any  one,  than  thee. 
Hoard- keeper  of  heroes,  if  thou  wilt  hold 
Thy  kinsmen's  kingdom.    Me  thy  bold  courage 


1854-1887.]  BEOWULF.  57 

Long  pleases  so  well,  Beowulf  dear. 

1855  Thou  hast  now  caused  that  to  these  nations  shall, 
To  the  Geats'  people  and  to  the  8 pear-Danes, 
Peace  be  in  common  and  strife  shall  cease, 
The  hostile  contests  which  they  ere  suffered : 
There  shall  be,  whilst  I  wield  the  wide  realm, 

1 860  Treasures  in  common ;  many  another 

With  presents  shall  greet  o*er  the  swan's  bath : 
The  ringed  ship  shall  o'er  the  sea  bring 
Presents  and  love-tokens.     I  know  that  the  people 
Towards  foe  and  towards  friend  are  firmly  disposed, 

1865  In  everything  blameless  after  old  custom." 
Then  still  to  him  the  defence  of  earls  gave. 
The  son  of  Healfdene,  twelve  jewels  besides. 
Bade  him  with  these  presents  his  own  dear  people 
Seek  in  good  health  and  quickly  return. 

1870  Kissed  him  then  the  king  noble  in  birth, 

The  prince  of  the  Scyldings  kissed  the  best  thane. 
And  round  the  neck  clasped ;  tears  from  him  fell, 
The  gray-haired  one :  he  had  hope  of  both, 
The  ag(5d  man,  more  of  the  latter, 

1875  That  they  might  again  each  other  see, 

Courageous  in  council.     The  man  was  so  dear 
That  he  the  breast-flood  could  not  restrain. 
But  in  his  breast,  fast  in  his  mind's  fetters. 
For  the  dear  man  a  secret  longing 

1880  Burned  througn  his  blood.  —  Beowulf  thence. 

The  gold-adorned  warrior,  the  grassy  plain  trod, 
Proud  of  his  treasure :  the  sea-goer  awaited 
Its  own  possessor,  which  at  anchor  rode. 
Then  was  on  the  way  the  gift  of  Hrothgar 

1885  Often  extolled :  that  was  a  king 

In  everything  blameless,  till  old  age  removed  him 
From  his  mighf  s  joys,  which  has  oft  oppressed  many 


58  BEOWULF.  [1888-1916. 


IX. 

Beovmlfs  arrival  at  home  and  welcome  by  Hygelac.  The 
episode  of  Offa  and  Thrytho,  Beowulf's  account  of 
his  journey.  Freaware  and  Ingeld.  Presents  of 
Beowulf  and  Hygelac. 

XXV 111.  Came  then  to  the  sea  the  very  brave  ones, 
The  band  of  attendants  ;  their  burnies  they  bore, 

1890  Then*  locked  body-sarks.     The  land-guard  perceived 
The  return  of  the  earls,  as  he  before  did : 
He  did  not  with  harm  from  the  cliff's  head 
Greet  then  the  guests,  but  towards  them  rode, 
Quoth  that  as  welcome  the  Weders*  people, 

1895  The  mail-clad  warriors,  went  to  their  ship. 
Then  was  on  the  shore  the  spacious  boat, 
The  ring-prowed  ship,  with  battle-weeds  laden, 
With  horses  and  jewels ;  the  mast  arose 
Over  Hrothgar's  hoard  of  treasures. 

1900  He  to  the  boat-guard,  bound  with  gold-work, 
A  sword  then  gave,  so  that  after  he  was 
On  the  mead-bench  from  the  jewel  more  honored. 
The  costly  heir-loom.     He  went  in  his  sea-boat 
To  stir  the  deep  water,  the  Danes*  land  forsook. 

1905  Then  was  to  the  mast  one  of  sea-cloths. 

Sail  by  rope  fastened.     The  vessel  groaned ; 

Noi  there  the  sea-floater  did  the  wind  o'er  the  waves 

In  its  course  hinder :  the  sea-goer  went, 

The  foamy-necked  floated  forth  o'er  the  water, 

1910  The  curv^d-prowed  went  o'er  the  sea-waves, 
Until  the  Geats'  cliffs  they  might  descry, 
The  well-known  nesses.     The  keel  pressed  up. 
Urged  by  the  wind  it  stood  on  the  land. 
Quickly  was  at  the  sea  the  harbor-guard  ready, 

1915  Who  long  time  before  for  the  dear  men 


191^-1949.]  BEOWULF.  59 

Longing  had  gazed  afar  on  the  ocean : 
He  to  the  shore  fastened  the  wide-bosomed  ship 
With  anchor-chains  fast,  lest  the  waves'  force 
The  winsome  boat  might  carry  away. 

1920  He  bade  then  bear  up  the  nobles'  treasures, 

Jewels  and  beaten  gold ;  not  for  them  far  thence 
Was  it  to  seek  the  giver  of  rings : 
Hygelac,  Hrethel's  son,  there  at  home  dwelt, 
Himself  with  his  comrades  near  the  sea-wall. 

1925  The  building  was  fine,  the  prince  a  good  king, 
High  was  the  hall,  Hygd  very  young, 
Wise,  well-instructed,  although  winters  few 
Under  the  city-locks  she  may  have  dwelt. 
The  daughter  of  Haereth :  she  was  not,  though,  nig- 
gardly, 

1930  Nor  sparing  in  gifts,  to  the  Geats'  people, 
In  costly  jewels.     Modthrytho  comacnitted, 
The  great  folk-queen,  horrible  crime : 
No  brave  one  durst  that  undertake. 
Of  dear  companions,  except  her  liege  lord, 

1935  That  on  her  by  day  he  should  look  with  his  eyes : 
But  he  wrought  for  himself  death-fetters  firm, 
Twisted  by  hand :  quickly  afterwards  was, 
After  the  hand-grip,  the  sword  appointed, 
So  that  the  carved  weapon  must  it  decide, 

1940  Tell  the  death-bale.     Such  is  not  queenly  custom 
For  a  woman  to  practise,  though  she  be  peerless, 
That  a  peace-weaver  of  life  should  deprive, 
On  account  of  fierce  anger,  any  dear  man. 
That  indeed  checked  the  kinsman  of  Heming. 

1945  The  drinkers  of  ale  other  word  said. 
That  she  of  folk- woes  less  did  inflict. 
Of  hostile  deeds,  after  she  first  was 
Gold-adorned  given  to  the  young  warrior. 
The  brave  young  noble,  after  she  Offa's  hall, 


60  BEOWULF.  [195CV-1983. 

1950  O'er  the  dark  flood,  by  her  father's  command, 

Sought  in  her  journey,  where  she  afterwards  well. 
On  royal  throne,  by  gifts  renowned, 
Her  portion  of  life  whilst  living  enjoyed, 
Held  her  great  love  for  the  prince  of  heroes, 

1955  Of  all  mankind,  as  I  have  heard  say. 
The  very  best  one  by  the  two  seas. 
Of  human  race :  for  that  Offa  was 
By  gifts  and  war-deeds,  the  very  brave  man, 
Widely  renowned ;  with  wisdom  he  ruled 

1960  His  own  possessions :  thence  Eomor  sprang 
For  help  to  heroes,  the  kinsman  of  Heming, 
Grandson  of  Garmund,  crafty  in  contests.  — 

XXIX.  Went  then  the  brave  with  his  trusty  band 
Himself  o'er  the  sand  the  sea-beach  treading, 

1965  The  wide-stretching  shores :  the  world-candle  shone. 
Sun  inclined  from  the  south.     They  kept  on  their 

journey, 
Went  in  their  might,  till  the  earls'  defence. 
The  slayer  of  Ongentheow  within  in  the  city, 
The  good  young  war-king  they  then  heard  say 

1970  Rings  was  dividing.     To  Hygelac  was 

The  journey  of  Beowulf  quickly  made  known. 
That  there  in  the  palace  the  warriors'  defence. 
His  shield-companion,  living  was  come. 
Hale  from  the  battle-play  to  the  court  going. 

1975  Quick  was  prepared,  as  the  mighty  one  bade. 
For  the  foot-guests  the  hall  within. 
Sat  he  then  opposite,  who  'scaped  from  the  strife. 
Kinsman  with  kinsman,  after  his  lord 
With  courtly  speech  the  loyal  one  greeted, 

1980  With  mighty  words.     With  mead-cups  went 
Through  the  high  hall  the  daughter  of  Haereth ; 
The  people  she  served,  the  ale-cups  she  bore 
To  the  men  at  hand.     Hygelac  began 


1984-2018.]  BEOWULF.  61 

His  comrade-in-arms  in  the  high  hall 

1985  Kindly  to  ask  (wish  to  know  urged  him), 
What  were  the  journeys  of  the  Sea-Geats : 
*'  How  befell  on  your  way,  Beowulf  dear, 
When  thou  so  suddenly  thoughtest  afar 
The  strife  to  seek  o'er  the  salt  water, 

1990  Battle  at  Heorot?    But  didst  thou  for  Hrothgar 
The  widely-known  woe  in  aught  remove, 
For  the  great  chief  ?    I  for  that  in  distress, 
In  sorrow- waves  pined :  the  journey  I  trusted  not 
Of  the  dear  man.     Thee  long  I  begged 

1995  That  thou  the  death-spirit  by  no  means  wouldstseek, 
Wouldst  let  the  South-Danes  themselves  put  an  end  to 
Their  war  against  Grendel.     I  give  thanks  to  God, 
For  that  I  may  see  thee  now  safe  and  sound." 
Beowulf  spoke,  Ecgtheow's  son : 

2000  ''  That  is  now  plain,  Hygelac  lord. 
Our  great  struggle,  to  many  of  men. 
What  a  war-time  of  Grendel  and  me 
Was  in  the  place  where  he  very  many 
Sorrows  had  wrought  to  the  Victor-Scyldings, 

2005  Misery  perpetual :  all  that  I  avenged. 

So  no  kinsman  of  Grendel  need  now  rejoice 
At  the  morning-sound  over  the  earth. 
He  who  shall  live  longest  of  that  evil  race, 
By  danger  surrounded !     At  first  I  came  there 

2010  To  the  ringed  hall  Hrothgar  to  greet : 
Soon  for  me  the  great  son  of  Healfdene, 
After  he  knew  of  my  intention. 
Near  his  own  son  a  seat  provided. 
The  crowd  was  in  joy ;  ne'er  saw  I  my  life  long 

2015  Under  heaven's  vault  of  sitters-in-hall 

Greater  mead- joy !     Sometimes  the  great  queen, 
Peace-bringer  of  nations,  went  through  all  the  hall, 
Urged  the  young  sons :  oft  she  a  bracelet 


62  BEOWULF.  [2019-2050. 

Gave  to  a  warrior,  ere  she  went  to  her  seat. 

2020  Sometimes  *fore  the  court  the  daughter  of  Hrothgar 
To  the  earls  at  the  end  the  ale-cup  bore, 
Whom  I  Freaware  the  sitters-in-hall 
Heard  call  by  name,  where  she  buckled  treasure 
Gave  to  the  heroes.     She  had  been  promised, 

2025  Young,  gold-adorned,  to  Froda's  glad  son  : 

Therefore  it  has  happened  to  the  friend  of  the  Scyl- 

dings. 
The  kingdom's  ruler,  and  he  counts  that  a  gain. 
That  he  with  the  woman  a  part  of  fierce  feuds, 
Of  quarrels  appeased.     Often  the  courtiers, 

2030  After  folk's  fall,  in  a  little  while 

The  deadly  spear  takes,  though  good  be  the  bride. 

XXX.  It  may  therefore  displease  the  prince  of  the  Heath- 
obards. 
And  each  of  the  thanes  of  these  peoples. 
When  he  with  the  woman  goes  into  the  hall, 

2035  That  a  son  of  the  Danes  on  her  should  attend : 
For  on  him  there  shines  the  bequest  of  the  ag^d. 
Hard  and  ring-decked,  the  Heathobards*  treasure, 
While  they  with  weapons  were  able  to  rule, 
Until  they  misled  to  the  shield-play 

2040  Their  dear  companions  and  their  own  lives. 

Then  speaks  at  the  beer-drinking  he  who  sees  the 

jewel. 
An  old  spear-warrior,  who  all  remembers, 
Spear-death  of  men  (fierce  is  his  mind) , 
Begins,  sad  in  mood,  of  the  young  warrior 

2045  The  spirit  to  rouse  by  thoughts  in  his  mind. 
War-bale  to  excite,  and  this  word  speaks : 
*  Mayst  thou,  my  friend,  know  now  the  sword. 
Which  thine  own  father  bore  into  battle 
Under  his  helmet  for  the  last  time, 

2050  The  precious  weapon,  where  the  Danes  slew  him, 


2051-2084.]  BEOWULF.  63 

The  battb-place  held,  when  dead  lay  Withergyld, 
After  heroes*  fall,  the  Scyldings  brare  ? 
Now  here  a  son  of  some  one  of  these  murderers, 
In  his  weapons  rejoicing,  goes  into  the  hall, 

2055  Boasts  of  the  murder  and  bears  the  jewel, 
Which  thou  with  right  shouldest  possess.' 
So  he  advises  and  each  time  reminds 
With  bitter  words,  until  the  time  comes 
That  the  woman's  thane,  for  the  deeds  of  his  father, 

2060  After  the  sword's  stroke  blood-stained  sleeps, 
Guilty  of  his  life :  thence  will  the  other 
Warrior  escape ;  he  knows  the  land  well. 
Then  are  there  broken  on  either  side 
The  sword-oaths  of  earls,  after  in  Ingeld 

2065  Are  roused  deadly  feuds,  and  in  him  woman's  love 
After  care- waves  cooler  becomes. 
Therefore  I  count  not  on  the  faith  of  the  Heatho- 

bards. 
Folk-peace  sincere,  kept  with  the  Danes, 
Friendship  confirmed.  —  I  shall  speak  forth 

2070  Yet  about  Grendel,  that  thou  mayst  well  know, 
Giver  of  treasure,  what  was  the  result 
Of  the  hand-fight  of  men.     After  heaven's  gem 
Glided  over  the  earth,  the  angry  fiend  came, 
The  terrible  even-guest,  to  make  us  a  visit, 

2075  Where  we  unharmed  guarded  the  hall. 
There  was  Hondscio  destined  for  fight, 
Life-bale  to  the  fated :  he  lay  the  first, 
The  belted  warrior:  to  him  was  Grendel, 
To  the  great  war-thane,  a  mouth-destroyer, 

2080  The  dear  man's  body  all  he  swallowed. 
Not  sooner  out  then  yet  empty-handed. 
The  bloody-toothed  murderer  mindful  of  woes 
From  the  gold-iiali  was  willing  to  go, 
But  he,  strong  in  might,  made  trial  of  me, 


(J4  BEOWULF.  [2085-2118. 

2085  With  ready  hand  grasped  me.     His  glove  was  hang- 
ing, 
Wide  and  wonderful,  in  cunning  bands  fast ; 
It  was  all  wrought  with  curious  skill 
With  devil's  craft  and  dragon's  skins ; 
He  me  therein,  guiltless  of  crime, 

2090  The  fierce  deed-doer,  wished  to  destroy, 
One  of  many :  it  might  not  be  so, 
After  in  anger  upright  I  stood. 
Too  long  is  to  tell  how  I  the  folk's  foe 
For  each  of  his  ills  a  hand-reward  paid, 

2095  Where  I,  my  prince,  thine  own  people 
Honored  by  deeds.     Away  he  escaped, 
A  little  while  life's  joys  enjoyed : 
Yet  of  him  a  trace  remained  behind. 
His  right  hand  in  Heorot,  and  he  humbled  thence, 

2100  Sorrowing  in  mind,  to  the  sea-bottom  sank. 
Me  for  this  contest  the  friend  of  the  Scyldings 
With  plated  gold  much  rewarded, 
With  many  treasures,  when  morning  came, 
And  we  at  the  banquet  had  seated  ourselves. 

2105  There  was  song  and  glee  :  the  ag6d  Scylding, 
Who  much  had  heard,  of  past  times  related  ; 
Sometimes  the  warrior  the  joy  of  the  harp. 
The  play-wood  touched ;  sometimes  sang  a  song 
True  and  sorrowful ;  sometimes  a  strange  tale 

2110  Truthfully  told  the  wide-hearted  king ; 

Sometimes  then  began,  burdened  with  age. 
The  hoary  warrior  to  tell  of  his  youth's 
Prowess  in  battle ;  his  breast  swelled  within. 
When  he  old  in  years  their  r  imber  remembered. 

2115  So  we  therein  the  live-long  day 

Partook  of  hall-joys,  until  night  came  on. 
Another  to  men.     Then  was  again  quickly 
Ready  for  rexigeance  the  mother  of  Grendel, 


2119-2163.]  BEOWULF.  66 

She  sorrowful  went :  death  took  off  her  son, 

2120  War-hate  of  the  Weders.     The  wondrous  woman 
Her  son  avenged,  a  warrior  killed 
Courageously  ;  there  was  from  Aeschere, 
The  ag^d  counsellor,  life  departed. 
Nor  might  they  him,  when  morning  came, 

2125  Delivered  to  death,  the  folk  of  the  Danes 
With  fire  consume,  and  on  the  pyre  place 
The  dearly- loved  man  ;  the  body  she  bore 
In  the  fiend's  embrace  *neath  the  mountain-stream. 
That  was  to  Hrothgar  the  greatest  of  sorrows, 

2130  Of  those  that  long  the  prince  befell. 
Then  the  chief  me  by  thine  own  life 
Adjured,  sad  in  mind,  that  I  in  the  sea*s  flood 
Should  do  valiant  deeds,  should  risk  my  lif*^. 
Should  honor  gain  ;  he  promised  reward. 

2135  I  then  of  the  water,  which  is  widely  known, 
The  grim  and  fearful  guard  of  the  deep  found. 
There  a  while  was  to  us  a  hand-to-hai  d  fight ; 
The  sea  welled  with  gore,  and  I  of  the  head  robbed 
In  the  ground-hall  the  mother  of  Grendel 

2140  With  a  strong  sword ;  I  scarcely  from  thence 
My  life  bore  away ;  not  yet  was  I  fated ; 
But  the  earl's  defence  to  me  after  gave 
Many  of  treasures,  the  son  of  Healfdene. 

XXXI.  So  the  folk-king  lived  as  was  right  r 

2145  Not  at  all  had  I  lost  by  these  rewards, 

This  meed  of  might,  but  he  gave  me  treasures. 
The  son  of  Healfdene,  at  mine  own  will. 
Which  I  will  to  thee,  warlike  king,  bring. 
Willingly  offer.     Still  on  thee  is  all 

2150  Of  favor  dependent :  I  have  very  few 
Of  near  relations  save,  Hygelac,  thee." 
He  bade  then  bring  In  the  boar's-head-sign. 
The  battle-high  helmet,  the  hoary  bumie, 


gg  BEOWULF.  L2154-2147 

The  war-sword  ornate,  his  word  then  uttered : 

2155  *'This  cuirass  to  me  Hrothgar  then  gave, 
The  crafty  chief,  bade  with  some  words 
That  I  of  its  origin  first  should  thee  tell, 
Said  that  it  had  Iliorogar  king, 
Prince  of  the  Scyldings,  for  a  long  while : 

2160  Not  to  his  son  sooner  would  he  it  give, 

To  the  brave  Heoroweard,  though  to  him  he  were 

dear. 
The  defence  of  the  breast.     Use  thou  it  well  1 " 
I  heard  that  to  the  armor  four  horses  too, 
Exactly  alike,  in  their  tracks  followed, 

2165  Yellow  as  apples :  he  to  him  gave  possession 
Of  horses  and  jewels.     So  shall  a  friend  do, 
Not  at  all  cunning  snares  weave  for  another. 
With  secret  craft  death  for  him  prepare. 
His  hand-companion.     To  Hygelac  was, 

2170  In  battle  brave,  his  nephew  devoted. 

And  each  to  the  other  mindful  of  kindness. 
I  heard  that  the  necklace  he  to  Hygd  gave. 
The  curious  treasure  which  Wealhtheow  gave  him, 
The  prince's  daughter,  three  horses  likewise, 

2175  Slender  and  saddle-bright:  to  her  after  was, 
After  the  ring-giving,  the  breast  adorned. 
So  bravely  bore  him  Ecgtheow's  son. 
The  man  famed  in  wars,  by  his  good  deeds. 
He  did  after  right,  not  at  all  slew  the  drunken 

2180  Hearth-companions  :  his  mind  was  not  cruel. 
But  he  of  mankind  with  greatest  power, 
The  mighty  gift,  which  God  him  gave, 
The  warlike  one  kept.     Long  he  was  despised. 
As  him  the  Geats'  children  did  not  reckon  good, 

2185  Nor  him  at  the  mead-bench  as  worthy  of  much 
The  lord  of  the  people  would  then  esteem ; 
They  weened  very  strongly  that  he  wa**  slothful. 


2188-2214.]  BEOWULF.  67 

An  unwarlike  prince ;  a  change  after  came 

To  the  glory-blessed  man  of  each  of  his  sorroi?»s. 

2190  The  earl's  defence  bade  then  bring  in, 
The  warlike  king,  Hrethel's  bequest 
Adorned  with  gold :  there  was  not  'mong  the  Geats 
A  better  treasure  in  the  shape  of  a  sword : 
That  did  he  place  in  Beowulf's  keeping, 

2195  And  to  him  gave  seven  thousand  of  gold, 

A  house  and  dominion.     To  them  both  together 
Among  the  people  was  inherited  land, 
A  home  and  its  rights,  more  to  the  other, 
A  wide-spread  kingdom,  to  him  who  was  better. 


Beowulf  and  the  Dragon. 

X. 

Beowulf  is  king.     The  dragon* s  hoard  robbed.     The  fiery 
vengeance  of  the  dragon, 

2200  That  happened  after  in  later  days 

By  battle-contests,  when  Hygelac  died, 
And  to  Heardred  swords  of  battle 
Under  the  shields  were  as  a  murderer. 
When  him  there  sought  'mong  his  victor-people 

2205  The  warriors  bold,  the  Battle-Scylfings, 
By  war  oppressed  the  nephew  of  Hereric. 
After  to  Beowulf  the  kingdom  t^oad 
Came  into  hand :  he  held  it  well 
Fifty  winters  (then  was  the  king  agdd 

2210  The  home-keeper  old)  until  one  began 
On  the  dark  nights,  a  dragon,  to  rule, 
Who  on  the  high  heath  a  treasure  protected, 
A  steep  stony  mountain  :  the  path  under  lay, 
To  men  unknown.    There  within  went 


68  BEOWULF.  [2216-2249. 

2215  Some  one  of  men,  who  took  his  desu*e 

From  the  heathen  hoard :  a  certain  hand-vessel, 
Adorned  with  gold,  he  there  then  took. 
Made  of  red  gold,  so  that  was  robbed 
By  the  fire  sleeping  the  treasure's  guardian 

2220  By  a  thief's  craft :  the  prince  after  learnt. 
The  innocent  warrior,  that  he  was  enraged. 

XXXII.  Not  at  all  of  free-will  the  dragon-hoard's  heap 
Sought  he  of  himself^  who  him  sorely  injured, 
But  through  necessity  the  thane  of  some  one 

2225  Of  the  children  of  men  hateful  blows  fled, 

Through  dire  compulsion,  and  therein  entered 
The  innocent  man.     Soon  it  was  at  that  time 
That  there  to  the  stranger  dread  terror  stood ; 
Yet  miserable  he  there  within  took, 

2230  The  frightened  soul  who  terror  suffered, 

A  costly-wrought  vessel.     There  were  many  of  such 
In  the  earth-cave,  of  ancient  treasures. 
As  them  in  old  days  some  one  of  men, 
The  great  bequest  of  a  noble  race, 

2235  With  thoughtful  mind  there  had  concealed. 

The  precious  treasures.     Death  them  all  took  away 
In  former  times,  and  the  only  one  still 
Of  the  people's  nobles  who  there  longest  lived, 
The  friend-mourning  guardian,  wished  that  to  delay, 

2240  So  that  he  a  short  time  longer  the  treasures 
Might  there  enjoy.     A  mountain  all  ready 
Stood  on  the  plain  near  to  the  waters. 
Steep  by  the  ness,  firm,  inaccessible : 
There  within  bore  of  noble  treasures 

2245  The  keeper  of  rings  a  pai-t  hard  to  carry 
Of  beaten  gold,  banning  words  spoke : 
*'Keeplhou  now,  earth,  since  men  may  not, 
The  possession  of  earls.     Lo !  before  it  in  thee 
Good  men  ohtamed :  war-death  took  away, 


2250-2282.]  BEOWULF.  69 

2250  Fearful  life-bale,  each  one  of  men, 

Of  mine  own  people,  who  gave  up  this  life : 
They  saw  hall-joy.     IVe  not  one  to  bear  sword, 
Or  care  for  the  cup  of  beaten  gold, 
The  dear  drinking- vessel :  the  chiefs  elsewhere  are 
gone. 

2255  The  hard  helmet  shall,  with  gold  adorned, 

Be  deprived  of  its  jewels :  the  polishers  sleep. 
Those  who  the  battle-mask  should  ever  brighten ; 
And  likewise  the  breast-plate,  which  in  battle  endured 
O'er  clash  of  shields  the  blows  of  weapons, 

2260  Crumbles  after  the  warrior:   nor  may  the  ringed 
burnie 
After  the  battle-chief  go  far  and  wide 
By  the  side  of  heroes :  there  's  no  harp's  joy, 
Play  of  the  glee-wood,  nor  does  the  good  hawk 
Through  the  hall  fly,  nor  the  swift  horse 

2265  The  city-courts  paw.     Mighty  death  has 
Many  of  mortals  sent  on  their  way." 
So  sad  in  mind  in  sorrow  mourned 
One  over  all,  miserable  lived  he 
By  day  and  night,  until  death's  wave 

2270  Touched  him  at  heart.     The  precious  hoard  found 
The  old  twilight-foe  open  standing. 
He  who  burning  the  mountains  seeks. 
The  naked  dragon,  who  flies  by  night 
Surrounded  by  fire :  him  the  earth-dwellers 

2275  Saw  from  afar.     He  shall  inhabit 

The  hedge  on  the  earth,  where  he  heathen  gold 
Guards  old  in  years :  he  shall  not  be  the  better. 
So  the  folk-foe  three  hundred  winters 
Held  in  the  earth  one  of  hoard-halls 

2280  Wondrously  great,  until  him  one  angered, 
A  man,  in  his  mind :  he  bore  to  his  lord 
The  jewelled  cup,  a  peace-offering  gave 


70  BEOWULF.  [2283-2316. 

To  his  own  lord.     Then  was  the  hoard  found, 
Hoard  of  rings  borne  away  ;  the  prayer  was  granted 

2285  To  the  miserable  man  :  his  lord  beheld 
Men's  ancient  work  for  the  first  time. 
When  the  dragon  awoke,  strife  was  renewed : 
He  went  'round  o'er  the  stone,  the  brave-minded 

found 
His  enemy's  foot- track :  he  forth  had  stepped 

2290  With  secret  craft  near  the  head  of  the  dragon. 
So  may  one  not  fated  easily  escape 
Woes  and  exile,  who  the  Almighty's 
Favor  possesses.     The  hoard-keeper  sought 
O'er  the  ground  eagerly,  would  find  the  man, 

2295  Who  to  him  in  sleep  this  harm  had  done  : 

Hot  and  fierce-minded  oft  he  went  'round  the  cave 
Now  all  without :  there  was  not  any  man 
On  the  heath's  waste.     Yet  in  battle  he  joyed, 
In  hostile  deeds :  he  returned  to  the  mountain, 

2300  The  precious  cup  sought :  he  that  soon  found. 
That  some  one  of  men  the  gold  had  discovered, 
The  costly  treasures.     The  hoard-keeper  waited, 
Angry  in  mind,  until  evening  came  : 
Was  then  enraged  the  guard  of  the  mountain, 

2305  Would  many  people  with  fire  repay 

For  the  dear  drinking-cup.     Then  was  the  day  gone 
At  the  will  of  the  dragon,  nor  in  the  cave  longer 
Would  he  abide,  but  with  flame  went  he  forth. 
With  fire  provided.     The  beginning  was  fearful 

2310  To  the  folk  in  the  land,  as  it  too  quickly 
On  their  ring-giver  sorely  was  ended. 

XXXIII.  Then  the  demon  began  to  vomit  with  fire, 

To  burn  the  bright  dwellings :  the  flame-light  stood 
For  terror  to  men  :  not  there  aught  living 

2315  The  hateful  au:-flyer  was  willing  to  leave. 
The  worm's  war-power  widely  was  seen, 


2317-2338.]  BEOWULF.  71 

The  hostile  one's  hate  both  near  and  far, 
How  the  war-foe  the  folk  of  the  Geats 
Hated  and  harmed :   to  his  hoard  then  he  hastened, 
2320  The  secret  rich  hall,  before  the  day-time. 

He  had  the  land-dwellers  with  fire  o'erwhelmed, 
With  flame  and  burning :  to  his  mountain  he  trusted, 
His  war-might  and  wall :  that  hope  him  deceived. 


XL 

Beowulf  prepares  for  the  contest.  The  deaths  of  Hygelac 
and  of  Heardred  recalled.  Beowulf's  reminiscences. 
The  death  of  Hereheald  and  HretheVs  sorroio.  Beo- 
wulf*s  slaying  of  Daeghrefn,  Beowulf  seeks  the 
dragon  alone.  The  fiery  fight,  Wiglaf  goes  to  his 
help.  The  wounding  of  Beowulf,  The  death  of  the 
dragon.  Wiglaf  brings  out  the  treasure.  Beowulf's 
death. 

Then  was  to  Beowulf  the  terror  made  known 
2325  Quickly  in  truth,  that  of  his  own 

The  best  of  houses  in  fire- waves  melted, 

The  gift-seat  of  the  Geats.     That  was  to  the  good 
one 

Distress  in  mind,  greatest  of  sorrows. 

The  wise  one  weened  that  he  the  Almighty 
2330  Against  the  old  laws,  the  eternal  Lord, 

Had  grievously  angered :  his  breast  within  swelled 

With  gloomy  thoughts,  as  to  him  was  not  usual. 

The  fire-drake  had  the  people's  fastness, 

The  island  without,  the  landed  possessions, 
2335  With  fire  destroyed :  for  him  then  the  war-king, 

The  Weders'  prince,  revenge  devised. 

Bade  then  work  for  him  the  warriors'  defence. 

The  lord  of  earls,  all  made  of  iron 


72  BEOWULF.  [2339-2373. 

A  wonderful  war-shield :  he  knew  very  well 

2340  That  forest- wood  him  could  not  help. 

The  shield  against  fire.     He  of  his  fleeting  days, 
Excellent  prince,  the  end  should  await 
Of  his  worldly  life,  and  the  worm  likewise, 
Although  his  hoard-treasure  he  long  had  held. 

2345  Scorn  did  he  then,  the  prince  of  rings, 

That  he  the  wide-flier  with  host  should  seek. 
With  a  large  army :  he  feared  not  the  contest. 
Nor  did  he  for  aught  count  the  serpent's  war-might, 
His  strength  and  prowess,  for  that  he  before  many 

2350  Conflicts  survived,  though  dangers  encountering, 
Clashings  of  battle,  since  he  of  Hrothgar, 
A  victory-blessed  hero,  the  hall  had  cleansed, 
And  in  battle  destroyed  the  kinsmen  of  Grendel, 
The  hateful  race.     That  was  not  the  least 

2355  Of  liand-encounters,  where  one  Hygelac  slew, 
When  the  Geats'  king  in  the  contests  of  war. 
Friendly  lord  of  the  folk,  in  the  land  of  the  Frisians, 
The  son  of  Hrethel,  in  sword-blood  died, 
Struck  down  with  the  brand.    Thence  Beowulf  came 

23 GO  By  his  own  might,  swam  through  the  sea: 
He  had  on  his  arm  thirty  and  one 
Of  battle-equipments,  when  he  in  the  sea  went. 
The  Hetwaras  did  not  need  to  be  boastful 
Of  their  foot-contest,  who  against  him  before 

2365  Were  bearing  their  shields :  few  again  came 
From  the  war-hero  to  visit  their  home. 
Ecgtheow's  son  swam  o'er  the  sea's  surface, 
Unhappy  alone  back  to  his  people. 
Where  to  him  Hygd  offered  treasure  and  kingdom, 

2370  Rings  and  king's  throne :  she  the  child  trusted  not, 
That  'gainst  other  peoples  the  nation's  seats 
He  knew  how  to  hold,  when  Hygelac  was  dead. 
Not  sooner  might  the  forsaken  ones  find 


2374-2406.]  BEOWULF.  73 

At  the  hands  of  the  prince  in  any  respect, 

2375  That  he  to  Heardred  would  be  a  lord, 

Or  he  the  kingdom  was  willing  to  choose  : 
Yet  he  him  'mong  the  people  with  friendly  lore  held, 
Kindly  with  honor,  until  he  was  older, 
And  the  Wedergeats  ruled.     Him  did  the  banished 
ones 

2380  Seek  o'er  the  sea,  Ohthere's  sons  ; 

They  had  'gainst  the  lord  of  the  Scylfings  rebelled. 
The  most  excellent  one  of  the  sea-kings, 
Who  in  the  Swedes'  kingdom  treasure  divided, 
A  mighty  prince.     That  to  him  was  life's  end : 

2385  He  there  at  the  banquet  the  death-wound  received 
With  blows  of  the  sword,  Hygelac's  son, 
And  then  he  departed,  Ongentheow's  son, 
To  visit  his  home,  when  Heardred  lay  dead, 
Let  Beowulf  hold  the  royal  throne, 

2390  And  rule  the  Geats :  that  was  a  good  king ! 

XXXIV.  He  remembered  reward  for  that  people's  loss 
In  later  days  ;  to  Eadgils  he  was. 
To  the  helpless  a  friend,  with  an  army  supported 
O'er  the  wide  sea  Ohthere's  son, 

2395  With  war-might  and  weapons :  he  after  avenged  him 
For  the  cold  care-journeys,  of  life  the  king  robbed.  — 
So  he  had  survived  each  one  of  struggles. 
Of  dangerous  contests,  Ecgtheow's  son. 
Of  mighty  deeds,  till  that  very  day 

2400  That  he  'gainst  the  serpent  was  going  to  fight. 
He  went  one  of  twelve,  swollen  with  rage. 
The  prince  of  the  Geats,  the  dragon  to  view ; 
He  had  then  learnt  whence  rose  the  feud, 
Deadly  hate  to  his  warriors :  into  his  keeping  came 

2405  The  great  treasure-cup  through  the  hand  of  the 
finder. 
He  was  in  the  band  the  thirteenth  man, 


74  BEOWULF.  [2407-2440 

Who  the  beginning  of  this  contest  caused, 

Sad  in  mind,  fettered,  despised  he  should  thence 

Point  out  the  plain  :  he  against  his  will  went 

2410  For  that  he  knew  the  earth-hall  alone, 

Cave  under  the  earth  near  the  sea-waves, 
Near  the  rushing  of  waters,  which  was  within  full 
Of  jewels  and  wire-work  :  the  monstrous  guard, 
The  ready  warrior,  the  gold-treasures  held, 

2415  Old  under  the  earth :  that  was  no  easy  purchase 
To  be  obtained  for  any  of  men. 
Sat  then  on  the  ness  the  warlike  king 
Whilst  farewell  he  bade  to  his  hearth-companions, 
The  gold-friend  of  the  Geats :  his  mind  was  sad, 

2420  Restless  and  death-ready.  Weird  very  nigh, 
Which  should  approach  the  ag^d  man. 
Seek  the  souFs  hoard,  asunder  divide 
The  life  from  the  bodj^ ;  not  then  was  long 
The  life  of  the  prince  in  flesh  enclosed. 

2425  Beowulf  spoke,  Ecgtheow's  son : 

"  Many  war-struggles  in  youth  I  survived, 
Times  of  battle ;  I  remember  all  that. 
I  was  seven  winters,  when  me  lord  of  treasures, 
Dear  ruler  of  peoples,  took  from  my  father ; 

2430  Supported  and  kept  me  Hrethel  the  king. 

Gave  me  treasure  and  feast,  remembered  our  kin 

ship; 
I  was  never  to  him  at  all  a  more  hateful 
Man  in  his  palace  than  one  of  his  sons, 
Herebeald  and  Haethcyn  or  Hygelac  mine. 

2435  There  was  for  the  eldest  contrary  to  right 

By  the  deeds  of  his  kinsman  a  death-bed  prepared, 
Since  him  did  Haethcyn  from  his  horned  bow, 
His  own  dear  lord,  with  arrow  pierce. 
Missed  he  the  mark  and  his  kinsman  did  shoot, 

2440  One  brother  the  other,  with  bloody  dart : 


2441-2473.]  BEOWULF.  75 

That  was  fee-less  fight,  wickedl}-  sinned, 
Sorrow-bringing  to  breast ;  should  yet,  however, 
The  lord  unavenged  from  life  depart. 
So  is  it  sorrowful  to  an  ag6d  churl 

2445  To  live  to  see  that  his  son  hang 

Young  on  the  gallows :  then  he  utters  a  moan, 
A  sorrowful  song,  when  his  son  hangs 
For  joy  to  the  raven,  and  he  him  may  not  help, 
Old  and  experienced,  aught  for  him  do. 

2450  Always  is  remembered  on  each  one  of  mornings 
His  son's  departure ;  he  cares  not  another 
To  hope  to  see  born  in  his  own  palace, 
An  heir  to  his  throne,  when  this  one  has. 
Through  might  of  death,  suffered  such  deeds. 

2455  He  sorrowful  sees  in  his  son's  dwelling 
The  wine-hall  empty,  the  windy  rest-place 
Of  men-iment  robbed ;  the  warrior  sleeps, 
The  prince  in  his  grave  ;  no  sound  of  harp's  there. 
No  sport  in  the  courts,  as  there  were  once. 

2460  XXXV.  Then  he  goes  to  his  chamber,  sings  sorrow- 
ful songs, 
The  one  for  the  other :  too  empty  all  seemed. 
Fields  and  dwelling.     So  the  Weders'  defence 
For  Herebeald  sorrow  of  heart 
Welling  up  bore :  he  might  not  at  all 

2465  Upon  that  murderer  the  feud  avenge  ; 

Not  sooner  might  he  wreak  his  hate  on  the  warrior 
With  evil  deeds,  though  he  was  not  to  him  dear. 
He  then  with  this  sorrow,  which  befell  him  so  sore. 
Gave  up  human  joy,  God's  light  did  choose, 

2470  Left  to  his  sons,  as  a  wealthy  man  does. 

Land  and  chief  city,  when  from  life  he  departed.    , 
Then  was  feud  and  strife  of  the  Swedes  and  the 

Geats, 
O'er  the  wide  water  contest  in  common, 


76  BEOWULF.  [2474-2507, 

A  hard  battle-struggle,  after  Hrethel  was  dead, 

2475  Whilst  to  them  were  Ongentheow's  sons 
Bold  and  warlike,  friendship  would  not 
O'er  the  sea  keep,  but  around  Hreosna-mount 
Terrible  inroads  often  did  make. 
For  that  mine  own  kinsmen  vengeance  did  take, 

2480  For  the  feud  and  the  wrong,  as  it  was  known, 
Although  the  other  it  bought  with  his  life, 
A  heavy  price :  to  Haethcyn  was. 
To  the  Geats'  lord,  the  war  destructive. 
Then  heard  I  that  on  th'  morrow  one  kinsman  the 
other 

2485  With  edge  of  the  sword  avenged  on  the  murderer, 
When  Ongentheow  Eofor  sought  out : 
The  war-helmet  split,  the  ag^d  ScylfiDg 
Fell  down  sword-pale ;  his  hand  remembered 
Of  strife  enough,  the  death-blow  withheld  not.  — 

2490  I  to  him  the  treasures  which  he  me  gave 
Repaid  in  war,  as  it  was  given  me. 
With  the  shining  sword ;  he  gave  to  me  land, 
A  dwelling  and  home.     There  was  not  to  him  lack. 
That  he  'mong  the  Gifths,  or  *mong  the  Spear-Danes, 

2495  Or  in  the  Swedes'  kingdom,  needed  to  seek 
A  warrior  worse,  him  buy  with  a  price : 
I  always  would  go  before  him  on  foot, 
Alone  in  front,  and  so  for  life  shall  I 
Enmity  work,  while  this  sword  permits, 

2500  Which  often  stood  by  me  early  and  late. 

Then  'fore  the  courtiers  was  I  to  Daeghrefn 
For  a  hand-slayer,  the  Hugs'  brave  warrior : 
Not  he  the  jewels  to  the  king  of  the  Frisians, 
The  breast-adornment,  was  able  to  bring, 

2505  But  in  battle  he  fell,  the  standard's  keeper. 

The  prince  in  his  might ;  sword  was  not  his  slayer, 
But  for  him  battle-grip  the  swellings  of  heart, 


2508-2641.]  BEOWULF.  77 

The  bone-house  broke.     Now  shall  the  bill's  edge, 
Hand  and  hard  sword,  fight  for  the  hoard." 
2510  Beowulf  said,  with  boastful  words  spoke 
For  the  last  time :  *'  I  survived  many 
Wars  in  my  youth ;  yet  now  I  will, 
Old  people's  guard,  the  contest  seek, 
With  honor  work,  if  me  the  fell  foe 
2515  From  his  earth-hall  dare  to  seek  out." 
Greeted  he  then  each  one  of  men. 
The  brave  helmet-bearers,  for  the  last  time. 
His  own  dear  comrades:  ''  I  would  not  the  sword 

bear, 
Weapon  'gainst  worm,  if  I  knew  how 
2520  Upon  this  monster  I  might  otherwise 

My  boast  maintain,  as  once  upon  Grendel. 
But  I  there  expect  hot  battle-fire. 
Breath  and  poison :  therefore  I  have  on  me 
Shield  and  burnie.     I  will  not  the  hill's  guard, 
2525  The  foe,  flee  from  even  part  of  one  foot, 

But  at  wall  it  shall  be  as  for  us  Weird  provides. 
Each  man's  Creator :  I  am  in  mind  brave. 
So  that  'gainst  the  war-flier  from  boast  I  refrain. 
Await  ye  on  mountain,  clad  in  your  burnies, 
2530  Heroes  in  armor,  which  one  may  better, 
After  the  contest,  from  wounds  escape 
Of  both  of  us.     That  is  not  your  work, 
Nor  the  might  of  a  man  but  of  me  alone, 
That  he  'gainst  the  monster  his  strength  should  try, 
2535  Heroic  deeds  do.     I  shall  with  might 
The  gold  obtain,  or  war  shall  take  off. 
Terrible  life-bale,  your  own  sovereign." 
Arose  then  by  the  rock  the  warrior  fierce 
Brave  under  his  helmet,  his  battle-sark  bore 
2540  'Neath  the  stone-cliffs,  to  the  strength  trusted 
Of  one  man  alone ;  such  is  no  coward's  work. 


78  BEOWULF.  [2542-2576. 

He  saw  then  by  the  wall  (he  who  very  many, 
In  man's  virtues  good,  of  contests  survived. 
Struggles  of  battle,  when  warriors  contended) 

2545  A  stony  arch  stand,  a  stream  out  thence 

Break  from  the  mountain ;  the  burn's  flood  was 
With  battle-fire  hot ;  might  not  near  the  hoard 
One  without  burning  any  while  then 
Endure  the  deep  for  the  flame  of  the  dragon. 

2550  Let  then  from  his  breast,  since  he  was  enraged, 
The  Wedergeats*  prince  his  words  go  forth. 
The  strong-hearted  stormed :  his  voice  came  in. 
In  battle  clear-sounding,  'neath  the  hoar  stone. 
Strife  was  stirred  up ;  the  hoard-keeper  knew 

2555  The  voice  of  a  man :  there  was  not  more  time 
Friendship  to  seek.     First  there  came  forth 
The  breath  of  the  monster  out  of  the  rock, 
Hot  battle-sweat ;  the  earth  resounded. 
The  man  *neath  the  mountain  his  shield  upraised 

2560  'Gainst  the  terrible  demon,  the  lord  of  the  Geats : 
Then  was  the  ring-bowed  eager  in  heart 
The  contest  to  seek.    The  sword  ere  brandished 
The  good  war-king,  the  ancient  relic 
Sharp  in  its  edges :  to  each  one  was 

2565  Of  those  bent  on  bale  dread  from  the  other. 

The  strong-minded  stood  against  the  steep  rock, 
The  prince  of  friends,  when  the  worm  bent 
Quickly  together :  he  in  armor  awaited. 
Went  he  then  burning  advancing  in  curves, 

2570  To  his  fate  hasting ;  the  shield  well  protected 
In  life  and  in  body  a  lesser  while 
The  mighty  chief  than  his  wish  sought, 
If  he  that  time,  on  the  first  day, 
Was  to  control,  as  Weird  did  not  permit  him 

2575  Triumph  in  battle.     His  hand  he  uplifted. 

The  prince  of  the  Geats,  the  fearful  foe  struck 


2577-2610.]  BEOWULF.  79 

With  the  mighty  relic,  so  that  the  edge  softened 
Brown  on  the  bone,  bit  less  strongly 
Than  the  folk-king  need  of  it  had, 

2580  Oppressed  with  the  fight.   Then  was  the  hill's  keeper, 
After  the  battle-blow,  fierce  in  his  mood, 
Threw  with  death-fire  ;  far  and  wide  spread 
The  flame  of  the  battle.     Of  triumphs  he  boasted  not. 
The  gold-friend  of  the  Geats :  the  war-bill  failed 

2585  Naked  in  fight,  as  it  should  not, 

Excellent  weapon.     That  was  no  easy  task. 
So  that  the  mighty  kinsman  of  Ecgtheow 
The  plain  of  this  earth  was  to  forsake. 
Must  at  the  worm's  will  take  up  his  abode 

2590  Elsewhere  than  here ;  so  shall  every  man 

His  fleeting  life  leave.     It  was  not  then  long 

That  the  fierce  ones  again  each  other  met. 

The   hoard-keeper  raged,  his  breast  swelled   with 

breath : 
A  second  time  he  suffered  distress 

2595  Surrounded  by  fire,  who  before  ruled  his  folk. 
Not  at  all  in  a  band  did  his  companions. 
Children  of  nobles,  him  stand  around 
With  warlike  virtues,  but  they  to  wood  went, 
Protected  their  lives.     In  one  of  them  welled 

2600  His  mind  with  sorrows  ;  friendship  may  never 
Be  at  all  put  aside  by  one  who  thinks  well. 

XXXVI.  Wiglaf  was  named  Weohstan's  son, 

The  worthy  warrior,  prince  of  the  Scylfings, 
Kinsman  of  Aelfhere.     He  saw  his  lord 

2605  Under  his  helmet  the  heat  endure  ; 

He  remembered  the  favor,  that  he  once  to  him  gave 
The  rich  dwelling-place  of  the  Waegmundings, 
Each  one  of  folk-rights  which  his  father  possessed. 
He  might  not  then  refrain,  his  hand  seized  the  shield, 

2610  The  yellow  wood,  he  drew  his  old  sword : 


80  BEOWULF.  [2611-2642. 

That  was  among  men  Eanmund's  bequest, 
Olithere's  son,  to  whom  in  strife  was, 
To  the  friendless  exile,  Weohstan  the  slayer 
By  the  edge  of  the  sword,  and  he  bore  to  his  kina* 
men 

2615  The  brown-colored  helmet,  the  ringed  burnie. 
The  old  giant's  sword  that  Onela  gave  him. 
His  own  relation's  war-equipments. 
Ready  war-weapons :  he  spoke  not  of  the  feud, 
Though  he  had  slain  his  brother's  son. 

2620  He  the  ornaments  held  many  half-years. 
Bill  and  burnie,  until  his  son  might 
Heroic  deeds  work,  as  his  old  father : 
He  gave  to  him  then  war-weeds  'mong  the  Geats, 
Countless  number  of  each,  when  he  from  life  went 

2625  Old  on  his  last  journey.     Then  was  the  first  time 
To  the  young  warrior  that  in  storm  of  war 
With  his  dear  lord  he  should  engage ; 
His  courage  failed  not,  nor  his  kinsman's  bequest 
Softened  in  battle  :  that  the  dragon  perceived, 

2630  After  they  two  together  had  gone. 

Wiglaf  then  spoke  many  suitable  words, 
Said  to  his  comrades  (sad  was  his  mind)  : 
**I  remember  that  time  when  we  received  mead. 
When  we  did  promise  to  our  dear  lord 

2635  In  the  beer-hall,  who  gave  us  these  rings. 

That  we  for  the  war-weeds  him  would  repay, 

If  to  him  such  need  ever  should  happen, 

For  helmets  and  hard  swords,  since  in  host  he  ua 

chose 
For  this  expedition  of  his  own  will, 

2640  Thought  of  honors  for  us,  and  gave  me  these  treas« 
ures. 
Us  whom  he  deemed  spear- warriors  good. 
Brave  helmet-bearers,  although  our  lord 


2643-267«.J  BEOWULF.  31 

This  noble  work  intended  alone 

To  accomplish  for  us.  ward  of  his  folk, 

2645  Because  he  of  men  most  noble  deeds  did, 
Rashly-bold  actions.     Now  is  the  day  come 
That  our  own  chieftain  has  need  of  the  strength 
Of  warriors  good  :  let  us  to  him  go. 
Help  the  war-prince  whilst  there  is  heat, 

2650  Fierce  fiery  terror.     God  knows  in  me, 

That  to  me  'tis  far  dearer  that  my  own  body 
With  my  gold-giver  the  flame  should  embrace. 
Not  becoming,  methinks,  is't  that  we  should  bear 

shields 
Again  to  our  home,  unless  we  may  sooner 

2655  Strike  down  the  foe,  the  life  protect 
Of  the  Weders'  chief.     I  know  it  well. 
That  he  does  not  deserve  that  he  alone  shall 
Of  the  Geats*  nobles  sorrow  endure, 
Fall  in  the  battle :  now  shall  sword  and  helmet, 

2660  Burnie  and  battle- dress,  to  us  both  be  common." 

Went  he  then  through  the  flame,  his  war-helmet  bore 
For  help  to  his  lord,  spoke  a  few  words : 
"  Beowulf  dear !  do  thou  all  well, 
As  thou  in  thy  youth  long  ago  said'st, 

2665  That  thou  would'st  not  let  for  thyself  living 

Honor  e'er  cease  ;  now  shalt  thou,  strong  in  deeds,. 
Firm-minded  prince,  with  all  thy  might 
Thy  life  protect ;  I  shall  assist  thee." 
After  these  words  the  angry  worm  came, 

2670  The  terrible  demon,  a  second  time 

With  fire-waves  shining  to  seek  his  foes. 

The  hostile  men.     With  flame-billows  burned    '       * 

The  shield  to  the  rim  :  the  burnie  might  not 

To  the  young  spear- warrior  assistance  afford. 

2675  But  the  young  hero  'neath  the  shield  of  his  kinsman 
With  courage  went,  when  his  own  was 


82  BEOWULF.  [2677-2709 

Destroyed  by  flames.  Then  still  the  war-king 
Was  mindful  of  fame,  of  his  mighty  strength, 
Struck  with  his  war-bill,  that  it  stood  in  the  head 

2680  Forcibly  driven  :  broke  in  two  Naegling, 
Failed  in  battle  Beowulf's  sword, 
Old  and  gray-etched.  'T  was  not  granted  to  him. 
That  him  of  the  sword  the  edges  were  able 
To  help  in  the  battle :  that  hand  was  too  strong, 

2685  Which  any  of  swords,  by  my  hearsa}', 

With  its  stroke  tested,  when  to  battle  he  bore 

The   sharp- wounding  weapon:  'twas   not   for  him 

better. 
Then  was  the  folk-foe  for  the  third  time. 
The  bold  fire-dragon,  mindful  of  feuds, 

2690  Rushed  on  the  strong  one,  since  space  him  allowed, 
Hot  and  war-fierce,  clasped  around  all  the  neck 
With  his  sharp  bones :  he  was  all  bloodied 
With  the  life-blood  ;  gore  welled  in  waves. 

XXXVII.  Then  I  heard  say  in  the  folk-king's  need 

2695  The  earl  displayed  unceasing  bravery. 

Strength  and  valor,  as  was  natural  to  him : 
He  cared  not  for  his  head,  but  the  hand  burned 
Of  the  brave  man,  where  he  helped  with  his  strength, 
So  that  the  fell  demon  he  struck  somewhat  lower, 

2700  The  hero  in  armor,  that  the  sword  sank  in, 
Shining  and  gold-plated,  that  the  fire  began 
After  to  lessen.     Then  still  the  king 
His  senses  possessed,  struck  with  his  war-knife, 
Cutting   and  battle-sharp,   which  he   bore  on   his 
burnie : 

2705  The  Weders*  defence  cut  the  serpent  in  two. 
The  foe  they  felled,  force  drove  out  life, 
And  they  him  then  both  had  destroyed, 
Kindred  princes :  such  should  a  man  be, 
A  thane  in  need.     That  was  to  the  prince 


2710-2744.]  BEOWULF.  83 

2710  The  last  of  his  victories  by  his  own  deeds, 
Of  work  in  the  world.    Then  *gan  the  wound, 
Which  on  him  the  earth-drake  before  had  inflicted, 
To  burn  and  to  swell :  that  soon  he  perceived 
That  in  his  breast  deadly  ill  welled, 

2715  Poison  within.     Then  the  prince  went. 
So  that  he  by  the  rock,  wise  in  his  mind, 
Sat  on  his  seat,  on  the  giants*  work  looked. 
How  the  stone-arches,  fast  on  their  columns. 
The  earth-hall  eternal  held  there  within. 

2720  Then  with  his  hands  him  bloody  with  gore, 
The  mighty  prince,  the  excellent  thane 
His  own  dear  lord  with  water  laved, 
"Weary  of  battle,  and  his  helmet  unloosed. 
Beowulf  said :  he  spoke  of  his  wound, 

2725  His  deadly-pale  wound  (he  knew  very  well 
That  he  had  spent  his  time  allotted 
Of  the  joy  of  earth ;  then  was  all  gone 
Of  his  days'  number,  death  verj^  nigh)  i 
*'  Now  I  to  my  son  would  wish  to  give 

2730  These  war-weeds  of  mine,  if  to  me  was  granted 
Any  inheritor  hereafter  to  be 
The  heir  of  my  body.     This  people  I  ruled 
Fifty  of  winters ;  there  was  not  a  folk-king, 
Of  those  dwelling  around  any  at  all, 

2735  Who  me  durst  meet  with  his  war-friends. 
With  terror  oppress.     I  awaited  at  home 
The  appointed  time,  kept  mine  own  well. 
Sought  not  hostilities,  nor  for  myself  swore 
Many  oaths  falsely ;  I  for  all  that, 

2740  With  deadly  wounds  sick,  now  joy  may  have ; 
Hence  the  ruler  of  men  need  not  to  me  charge 
The  murder  of  kinsmen,  when  shall  depart 
My  life  from  my  body.     Now  do  thou  quickly  go 
To  Bee  the  hoard  'neath  the  hoar  stone, 


84  BEOWULF.  [2745-2778. 

2745  Wiglaf  my  dear  one,  now  the  serpent  lies  dead, 
Sleeps  sorely  wounded,  robbed  of  his  treasure. 
Be  now  in  haste  that  I  the  old  riches, 
The  treasure  may  view,  thoroughly  scan 
The  bright  precious  gems,  that  I  may  the  easier, 

2750  On  account  of  the  treasure,  give  up  mine  own 
Life  and  my  people  that  I  long  held." 

XXXVIII.  Then  heard  I  that  quickly  Weohstan's  son, 
After  these  words,  his  wounded  lord 
Sick  from  battle  obeyed,  bore  his  ringed  net, 

2755  His  battle-sark  woven,  'neath  the  roof  of  the  mountain. 
Saw  then  victorious,  when  he  by  the  seat  went, 
The  brave  kin-thane  many  of  treasures, 
Glittering  gold  on  the  ground  lying. 
Wonder  on  wall  and  the  den  of  the  worm, 

2760  The  old  air-flier,  drink ing-cups  standing. 
Vessels  of  old-time  wanting  the  polisher, 
Deprived  of  their  ornaments.     There  was  many  a 

helmet 
Old  and  rusty,  many  arm-bracelets 
Curiously  twisted.     The  treasure  may  easily, 

2765  The  gold  in  the  ground,  each  hoard  of  mankind 
In  value  exceed,  let  him  hide  it  who  will. 
Likewise  he  saw  standing  an  all-golden  banner 
High  over  the  hoard,  greatest  of  wonders. 
Wrought  with  hand-craft ;  from  it  light  stood, 

2770  So  that  the  ground-plain  he  might  perceive. 

Examine  the  treasures.    There  was  not  of  the  serpent 
Any  appearance,  but  sword  took  him  ofi". 
Then  I  heard  say,  in  the  cave  the  hoard  robbed, 
The  old  work  of  giants,  one  man  alone, 

2775  Bore  on  his  bosom  the  cups  and  the  plates 
At  his  own  will ;  the  banner  he  took, 
Brightest  of  beacons,  a  bill  sheathed  with  brass 
(Its  edge  was  of  iron)  of  the  old  lord. 


2779-2813.]  BEOWULF.  S5 

Who  of  these  treasures  was  the  protector 

2780  For  a  long  while,  bore  fiery  terror 

Hot,  deadly-rolling,  on  account  of  the  hoard 
In  the  midst  of  the  night,  till  he  in  death  perished. 
In  haste  was  the  messenger  for  return  ready, 
Provided  with  treasures ;  wonder  him  moved, 

2785  Whether  he  the  high-minded  alive  would  find 
In  that  grassy  spot,  the  prince  of  the  Weders, 
Deprived  of  strength,  where  he  him  before  left. 
He  then  with  the  treasures  the  mighty  prince, 
His  own  dear  lord,  bleeding  did  find 

2790  At  the  end  of  his  life.     He  began  hirh  again 
With  water  to  sprinkle,  until  the  word's  point 
Brake  through  his  breast-hoard :  Beowulf  spoke. 
The  old  man  in  sorrow  (the  gold  he  viewed)  : 
**  I  for  these  treasures  to  the  Lord  of  all  thanks, 

2795  To  the  glorious  King,  in  words  do  speak. 

To  the  Lord  eternal,  —  which  I  here  look  upon. 
For  this  that  I  might  for  mine  own  people 
Before  my  death-day  such  treasures  obtain. 
Now  I  for  the  hoard  of  jewels  have  paid 

2800  Mine  own  ag^d  life  ;  do  ye  now  supply 

The  needs  of  my  people  ;  I  may  not  longer  be  here. 

Bid  ye  the  war-famed  a  mound  to  make 

Bright  after  the  pyre  at  the  sea's  point, 

Which  shall  for  remembrance  to  mine  own  people 

2805  Raise  itself  high  on  the  Whale's  ness. 
That  it  the  sea-farers  hereafter  may  call 
Beowulf's  mound,  who  shall  their  high  ships 
O'er  the  sea's  mists  from  afar  drive." 
He  put  from  his  neck  the  golden  ring, 

2810  The  bold-minded  prince,  gave  to  the  thane. 

The  young  spear- warrior,  his  gold-adorned  helm. 
Collar  and  burnie,  bade  him  use  them  well : 
"  Thou  art  the  last  left  of  our  own  kmdred   - 


86  BEOWULF.  [2814-2838. 

Of  the  Waegmundings.     Weird  carried  away  all 
2815  Of  mine  own  kinsmen  at  the  time  appointed, 
Earls  in  their  strength :  I  shall  go  after  them." 
That  was  to  the  ag4d  the  very  last  word 
In  his  breast- thoughts,  ere  the  pyre  he  chose, 
The  hot  fiery  waves :  from  his  breast  went 
2820  His  soul  to  seek  the  doom  of  the  saints. 


XIL 

Wtglaf  rebuked  t?ie  thanes.  Speech  of  the  messenger.  The 
death  of  Haethcyn,  pursuit  of  Hygelac,  and  death 
of  Ongentlieow,  The  warriors  arrive*  Wiglaf's 
speech.  They  enter  the  cave.  The  funeral-pyre. 
BeovnUf*s  mound, 

XXXIX.  Then  it  had  happened  to  the  young  man, 
With  sorrow  of  mind,  that  he  on  the  earth  saw 
The  dearest  one  at  the  end  of  his  life 
Livid  become.     The  slayer  too  la}', 

2825  The  fearful  earth-drake,  of  life  bereft. 

Oppressed  with  bale :  the  ring-treasures  longer 

The  twisted  serpent  might  not  control. 

But  the  swords'  edges  took  him  away. 

The  hard  battle-notched  leavings  of  hammers, 

2830  So  that  the  wide-flier,  still  from  his  wounds, 
Fell  on  the  earth  nigh  the  hoard-hall ; 
Not  at  all  through  the  air  did  he  go  springing 
In  the  midst  of  the  night,  proud  of  his  treasures 
Showed  he  his  form :  but  he  to  earth  fell 

2835  On  account  of  the  handwork  of  this  battle-prince- 
Now  that  in  the  land  to  few  of  men  throve 
Of  might-possessors,  as  I  have  heard  say, 
Though  he  were  bold  in  every  deed. 


2839-2873.]  BEOWULF.  87 

That  one  should  meet  the  poison-foe*s  breath, 

2840  Or  the  ring-hall  disturb  with  his  hands, 
If  he  were  to  find  the  waking  guard 
On  the  mount  watching.     By  Beowulf  was 
The  portion  of  treasures  paid  for  with  death : 
It  had  for  each  the  end  obtained 

2845  Of  fleeting  life.  —  'Twas  not  then  long  after 
That  the  cowardly  ones  the  wood  forsook, 
The  unwarlike  truth-breakers,  ten  together, 
Who  durst  not  before  fight  with  their  spears 
In  their  liege  lord's  very  great  need : 

2850  But  the}^  ashamed  bore  then  their  shields, 
Thek  weeds  of  war,  where  the  ag^d  one  lay ; 
They  gazed  upon  Wiglaf .     He  wearied  sat. 
The  fighter-on-foot,  near  his  lord's  shoulders. 
Refreshed  him  with  water :  it  naught  him  availed. 

2855  He  might  not  on  earth,  though  he  well  would, 
In  the  great  prince  his  life  retain. 
Nor  the  Almighty's  will  could  he  change ; 
The  doom  of  God  in  deeds  would  dispose 
For  each  one  of  men,  as  He  now  doth. 

2860  Then  was  from  the  youth  an  answer  grim 

For  him  easy  gotten,  who  before  lost  his  valor. 
Wiglaf  then  spoke,  Weohstan's  son, 
The  sorrowful  man  (he  looked  on  the  unloved)  : 
"  Lo  !  that  may  he  say  who  will  speak  truth, 

2865  That  the  folk-king  who  gave  you  the  treasures, 
The  war-equipments,  in  which  ye  there  stand. 
When  he  on  the  ale-bench  often  presented 
To  the  hall-sitters  helmet  and  burnie, 
The  prince  to  his  thanes,  such  as  anywhere  bravest 

2870  From  far  or  nigh  he  was  able  to  find,  — 
That  he  without  doubt  the  weeds  of  war 
To  no  purpose  wasted.     When  war  him  assailed, 
Not  at  all  did  the  folk-king  of  his  comrades-in-war 


88  BEOWULF.  lI^Ti.  2907. 

Have  cause  to  boast :  yet  God  him  granted, 
2875  The  Ruler  of  victory,  that  himself  he  avenged 

Alone  with  his  sword,  when  he  had  need  of  strength. 

I  to  him  little  life-defence  might 

In  battle  afford,  and  yet  I  undertook 

Beyond  my  power  my  kinsman  to  help : 
2880  He  was  alwaj'S  the  worse,  when  1  with  the  sword 
struck 

The  life-destroyer :  the  fire  ran  stronger, 

Welled  from  his  breast.     Too  few  defenders 

Pressed  round  the  prince,  when  the  evil  befell  bim. 

Now  taking  of  jewels  and  giving  of  swords, 
2885  All  joy  of  home  for  your  own  kindred. 

Comfort  shall  cease  :  of  rights  of  land 

Each  one  of  men  of  this  kindred  tribe 

Must  be  deprived,  after  the  princes 

From  afar  hear  of  3'our  desertion, 
2890  Inglorious  deed.     Death  shall  be  better 

To  each  one  of  earls  than  a  life  of  disgrace." 
XL.   He  bade  then  the  battle-work  tell  at  the  hedge 

Upon  the  steep  cliff,  where  the  earl-band 

The  morning-long  day  sad  in  mind  sat, 
2895  The  warriors  with  shields,  in  expectance  of  both, 

The  final  day  and  the  return 

Of  the  dear  man.     Little  kept  silent 

Of  the  new  tidings  he  who  rode  o'er  the  ness. 

But  he  in  truth  spoke  on  all  sides : 
2900  *'Now  is  the  joy-giver  of  the  folk  of  the  Weders, 

The  lord  of  the  Geats,  fast  in  his  death-bed, 

Fills  his  grave-rest  by  the  deeds  of  the  worm. 

Along  side  of  him  lies  the  life-winner  too 

Dead  from  knife's  wounds ;  with  sword  might  he  not 
2905  Upon  the  monster  in  any  way 

A  wound  inflict.     Wiglaf  sits  there, 

Sits  over  Beowulf  Weohstan's  son, 


2908-2942.]  BEOWULF.  89 

The  earl  o'er  the  other  of  life  deprived, 
With  care  attentive,  keeps  the  death-watch 

2910  Of  friend  and  of  foe.     Now  the  people  expect 
A  time  of  strife,  after  well-known 
To  the  Franks  and  the  Frisians  the  fall  of  the  king 
Becomes  far  and  wide.     The  contest  was  made 
Strong  'gainst  the  Hugs,  when  Higelac  came 

2915  With  his  ship-arm^'  going  to  the  land  of  the  Frisians, 
Where  the  Hetwaras  felled  him  in  battle, 
Bravelj'  him  conquered  with  their  over-might, 
So  that  the  mailed-warrior  was  forced  to  bow, 
Fell  midst  his  warriors ;  no  ornaments  gave 

2920  The  prince  to  his  nobles.     To  us  ever  after 

The  Merwings'  friendship  was  not  to  be  granted. 
Nor  do  I  from  the  Swedes  peace  or  good  faith 
At  all  expect ;  but  it  was  widely  known 
That  Ongentheow  of  life  deprived 

2925  Haethcyn,  Hrethel's  son,  near  Ravens'  wood, 
When  through  their  pride  at  first  did  seek 
The  warlike  Scylfings  the  folk  of  the  Geats. 
Soon  to  him  the  ag^d  father  of  Ohthere, 
Old  and  terrible,  gave  a  hand-stroke, 

2930  Hewed  down  the  sea-chief,  rescued  his  wife, 
The  old  man  his  spouse,  robbed  of  her  gold, 
The  mother  of  Onela  and  of  Ohthere, 
And  then  he  followed  his  deadly  foes 
Until  they  went  in  great  distress 

2935  Into  Ravens'  wood,  deprived  of  their  lord. 

Then  besieged  he  with  ho«t  those  left  by  the  sword. 
Weary  with  wounds,  woes  oft  he  promised 
To  the  miserable  band  the  livelong  night : 
Said,  he  in  the  morning  with  the  edge  of  the  sword 

2940  Them  would  destroy,  some  on  gallows  hang 

For  sport  to  the  fowls.     Comfort  afterwards  came 
To  them  sad  in  mind  along  with  daylight, 


90  BEOWULF.  [2943-2976. 

After  they  Hj^gelac's  horn  and  trumpets' 
Sounding  perceived,  when  the  brave  one  came 

2945  In  the  track  going  of  his  peoples*  earls. 

XLI.  There  was  bloody  track  of  Swedes  and  of  Geats, 
The  slaughter  of  men  widely  observed, 
How  the  folk  fought  the  feud  one  with  another. 
The  good  one  then  went  with  his  companions, 

2950  The  ag^d  most  sad,  the  fastness  to  seek. 

The  earl  Ongentheow  betook  himself  higher ; 

He  had  of  Hygelac's  prowess  heard  tell. 

The  proud  one's  war-craft ;  in  resistance  he  trusted 

not. 
That  he  the  sea-men  might  then  withstand, 

2955  His  hoard  protect  from  the  sea-farers, 

His  children  and  wife ;  he  went  after  thence 
Old  'neath  the  earth- wall.     Then  was  given  pursuit 
To  the  folk  of  the  Swedes,  their  banner  to  Hygelac. 
Forth  then  they  went  o'er  the  Peace-plain, 

2960  After  the  Hrethlings  pressed  into  the  hedge ; 

There  Ongentheow  was,  with  the  edge  of  the  sword, 
The  gray-haired  one,  forced  to  remain, 
So  that  the  folk-king  had  to  submit 
To  Eofor's  sole  will ;  angrily  him 

2965  Wulf ,  son  of  Wonred,  attacked  with  his  weapon, 
So  that  for  the  blow  blood  spurted  in  streams 
Forth  under  his  hair.     He  was  not  though  afraid. 
The  ag^d  Scylfing,  but  quickly  repaid 
In  a  worse  way  that  fatal  blow, 

2970  After  the  folk-king  thither  turned  round : 
Might  not  then  the  quick  son  of  Wonred 
To  the  old  churl  a  hand-stroke  give, 
But  he  on  his  head  his  helmet  first  cleft, 
So  that,  stained  with  blood,  he  had  to  bow, 

2975  Fell  on  the  earth :  he  was  not  j^et  fated. 

But  he  himself  raised,  though  the  wound  pained  him. 


2977-3009]  BEOWULF.  91 

Then  the  brave  thane  of  Hj-gelac  let 

With  his  broad  sword,  when  his  brother  lay  down, 

The  old  sword  of  giants,  the  helmet  of  giants 

2980  Break  over  the  shield-rim :  then  bowed  the  king. 
The  herd  of  the  folk ;   he  was  struck  to  his  life. 
Then  were  there  many  who  bound  up  his  brother. 
Quickly  him  lifted,  when  for  them  it  was  settled 
That  they  the  battle-place  were  to  possess, 

2985  Whilst  one  warrior  the  other  robbed, 

From  Ongentheow  took  his  burnie  of  iron, 
His  hard  hilted  sword  and  his  helmet  besides, 
The  hoary  one*s  armor  to  Hygelac  bore. 
The  armor  he  took  and  to  them  fairly  promised 

2990  Gifts  to  his  people,  and  kept  his  word  too. 
The  lord  of  the  Geats  paid  for  the  contest. 
The  son  of  Hrethel,  when  he  came  to  his  home, 
To  Eofor  and  Wulf  with  vei^  rich  jewels. 
To  each  of  them  gave  a  hundred  thousand 

2995  Of  land  and  locked  rings  (for  the  gifts  him  need  not 
reproach 
Any  man  on  mid-earth,  since  they  heroic  deeds 

wrought) , 
And  then  to  Eofor  gave  his  sole  daughter, 
The  home-adornment,  as  a  pledge  of  his  favor. 
That  is  the  feud  and  that  the  enmity, 

3000  Hate  deadly  of  men,  wherefore  I  expect 

That  the  Swedes'  people  against  us  will  seek, 
After  they  learn  that  our  own  lord 
Is  'reft  of  his  life,  him  who  before  held 
Against  his  foes  his  hoard  and  kingdom 

8005  After  heroes'  fall,  the  Scylfings  brave. 
Wrought  his  folk's  good  and  further  still 
Heroic  deeds  did.  —  Now  is  haste  best 
That  we  the  folk-king  there  should  behold, 
And  him  should  bring  who  gave  us  rings 


92  BEOWULF.      .  [3010-3044 

3010  To  the  funeral-pyre.     There  shall  not  a  part  only 
With  the  brave  perish,  but  there's  hoard  of  treasure, 
Gold  without  number,  bitterly  purchased, 
And  now  at  the  last  with  his  own  life 
Rings  has  he  bought :  these  fire  shall  devour, 

8015  The  flame  consume ;  no  earl  shall  wear 

A  jewel  in  memory,  nor  the  beautiful  maid 
Have  on  her  neck  a  ring-adornment, 
But  she  shall  sad  in  mind,  robbed  of  her  gold, 
Often  not  once  tread  a  strange  land, 

3020  Now  that  the  war-chief  laughter  has  left. 

Mirth  and  enjoyment.     For  this  shall  the  spear  be. 
Many  a  one  morning-cold,  clasped  with  the  fingers, 
Held  in  the  hands  ;  not  at  all  shall  harp's  sound 
Wake  up  the  warriors,  but  the  wan  raven, 

3025  Eager  over  the  fated,  often  shall  speak, 

Say  to  the  eagle  how  he  joyed  in  the  eating, 
When  with  the  wolf  he  robbed  the  slain." 
So  the  brave  warrior  then  was  telling 
Some  tales  of  evil :  he  did  not  speak  falsely 

3030  His  facts  nor  words.  —  The  band  all  arose ; 
Sadly  the}^  went  'neath  the  Eagles'  ness, 
With  flowing  tears,  the  wonder  to  see. 
Then  they  found  on  the  sand  deprived  of  his  life, 
Holding  his  resting-place,  him  who  rings  them  gave 

3035  In  former  times :  then  was  the  last  day 

Past  to  the  good  one,  so  that  the  war-king. 
The  prince  of  the  Weders,  a  wondrous  death  died. 
First  there  they  saw  a  stranger  being. 
The  worm  on  the  plain  opposite  there, 

3040  The  loathsome  one  l}ing ;  the  fiery  dragon, 
The  terror  grim,  was  scorched  with  flames ; 
He  was  fifty  feet,  in  his  full  measure, 
Long  as  he  lay ;  the  air  he  enjoyed 
Sometimes  at  night,  down  again  went 


3045-3079.]  BEOWULF.  93 

3045  To  visit  his  den :  he  was  then  fast  in  death, 
He  had  enjoyed  the  last  of  earth-caves. 
By  him  there  stood  pitchers  and  cups, 
Plates  too  lay  there  and  precious  swords, 
Rusty  and  eaten-through,  as  in  the  earth's  bosom 

3050  A  thousand  of  winters  there  they  had  remained. 
Since  that  bequest  exceedingly  gi-eat, 
The  gold  of  the  ancients,  was  bewitched  with  a  spell, 
So  that  the  ringed  hall  might  one  not  touch. 
Any  of  men,  unless  God  himself, 

3055  True  King  of  victories,  to  whom  He  would  granted 
To  open  the  hoard,  the  charge  of  enchanters. 
Even  so  to  such  man,  as  seemed  to  Him  right. 

XLH.  Then  was  it  seen  that  the  way  did  not  prosper 
To  him  who  with  wrong  had  hid  within 

3060  The  hoard  'neath  the  wall.     The  keeper  ere  slew 
Some  one  of  his  foes :  then  was  the  feud 
With  battle  avenged.     Is  it  a  wonder 
When  a  warlike  earl  the  end  approaches 
Of  his  life-fate,  when  may  no  longer 

3065  A  man  with  his  kinsmen  a  mead-hall  in-dwell  ? 

So  was  it  to  Beowulf,  when  he  the  mount's  keeper, 
The  contest  sought :  he  himself  knew  not 
How  his  world-severing  was  to  take  place  ; 
How  it  against  doom's-day  deeply  had  cursed 

8070  The  mighty  princes  who  that  put  there. 
That  that  man  should  be  guilty  of  sins. 
Shut  up  in  cursed  places,  fast  in  hell-bonds. 
Punished  with  plagues,  who  should  that  plain  tread 
He  was  not  gold-greedy ;  he  rather  would  have 

3075  The  owner's  favor  sooner  looked  on. — 
Wiglaf  then  spoke,  Weohstan's  son : 
''  Oft  many  an  earl  for  the  sake  of  one 
Sorrow  shall  suffer,  as  is  happened  to  us. 
We  might  not  give  to  our  dear  prince, 


94  BEOWULF.  [3080-3114. 

3080  The  kingdom's  ruler,  any  advice, 

So  that  he  might  not  that  gold-keeper  meet, 
Might  let  him  remain  where  he  long  was, 
Dwell  in  his  haunts  until  the  world's  end, 
Fulfil  his  high  fate.     The  hoard  is  looked  on, 

8085  Bitterly  gotten :  that  fate  was  too  mighty 
Which  that  folk-king  thither  enticed. 
I  was  therein  and  looked  through  it  all. 
The  treasures  of  hall,  when  'twas  allowed  me, 
Not  at  all  friendly  a  journey  permitted 

3090  In  'neath  the  earth-wall.     In  haste  I  took 
A  great  mighty  burden  with  my  own  hands 
Of  the  hoard- treasures,  bore  them  out  hither 
To  mine  own  king :  he  was  then  still  alive. 
Wise  and  still  conscious  :  very  much  spoke 

3095  The  ag6d  in  sorrow  and  ordered  to  greet  you. 

Bade  that  ye  should,  for  your  friend's  deeds,  make 
On  the  place  of  the  pyre  the  lofty  mound, 
Mickle  and  mighty,  as  he  of  men  was 
The  most  worthy  warrior  through  the  wide  earth, 

3100  While  he  city-treasures  still  could  enjoy. 
Let  us  now  hasten  a  second  time 
To  see  and  to  seek  that  heap  of  treasures, 
Wonder  'neath  wall.     I  shall  direct  you. 
That  ye  may  once  more  see  now  enough 

3105  Of  rings  and  broad  gold.     Be  the  bier  ready, 
Quickly  prepared,  when  we  come  out. 
And  then  let  us  bear  our  own  dear  lord, 
The  man  beloved,  where  he  shall  long 
In  the  Almighty's  keeping  patiently  wait.** 

3110  Bade  he  then  order,  Weohstan's  son. 
The  warrior  brave,  to  many  of  men. 
Of  dwellers  in  houses,  that  they  the  fire-wood 
Should  bear  from  afar,  the  lords  of  the  people. 
To  where  lay  the  good  one :  *'  Now  shall  fire  eat 


8115-3148.]  BEOWULF.  95 

3115  (The  wan  flame  shall  grow)  the  chief  of  warriors, 
Him  who  oft  awaited  the  ii'on-shower, 
When  the  storm  of  arrows,  loosed  from  the  strings, 
Leaped  over  the  shield-wall,  the  shaft  did  its  duty, 
Fitted  with  feathers  followed  the  barb." 

3120  Now  then  the  wise  son  of  Weohstan 

Called  from  the  crowd  of  the  king's  thanes 
Seven  together,  the  choicest  ones, 
Went  one  of  eight  'neath  the  hostile  roof ; 
One  warrior  brave  in  his  hands  bore 

3125  A  lighted  torch,  who  went  in  front. 

It  was  not  then  allotted  who  should  plunder  that 

hoard. 
After  unguarded  any  portion  of  it 
The  warriors  saw  remain  in  the  hall. 
Lie  wasting  away  :  little  one  sorrowed, 

8130  That  they  hastily  carried  without 

The  precious  treasures.     The  dragon  they  shoved. 
The  worm,  o'er  the  wall-cliff,  let  the  waves  take. 
The  flood  embrace,  the  keeper  of  jewels. 
There  was  twisted  gold  on  a  wain  laden, 

3135  Of  each  countless  heap :  the  prince  was  borne, 
The  hoary  warrior,  to  the  Whale's  ness. 

XLni.  For  him  then  prepared  the  folk  of  the  Geats 
A  funeral-p}Te  on  the  earth  firm. 
Hung  with  helmets,  with  shields  of  war, 

3140  With  burnies  bright,  as  he  had  begged. 

Laid  they  then  in  the  midst  the  mighty  prince, 
The  mourning  warriors  their  lord  beloved. 
*Gan  they  then  on  the  mountain  the  greatest  of  pyrea 
The  warriors  to  kindle :  the  wood-smoke  arose 

3145  From  the  burning  pile  black,  the  crackling  flame 
Mingled  with  mourning  (the  wind-roar  was  still) , 
Until  it  had  broken  the  house  of  bone, 
Hot  in  the  breast.     Sad  in  their  minds 


96  '  BEOWULF.  [3U9-5183. 

With  sorrow  they  mourned  their  dear  lord's  death ; 

3150  Also  a  sad  song  uttered  the  spouse, 

Pained  in  her  breast,  grieved  in  her  heart, 
Mournful  she  frequently  fettered  her  mind. 
So  that  for  her  husband's  most  grievous  blows 
She  wept,  the  grim  fate  of  his  bloody  death, 

3155 terror  of  fire 

.         .         .         heaven  swallowed  the  smoke. 

Wrought  they  there  then  the  folk  of  the  Weders 
A  mound  on  the  steep,  which  high  was  and  broad, 
For  the  sea-goers  to  see  from  afar, 

3160  And  they  built  up  within  ten  days. 

The  warlike  one's  beacon  ;  the  brightest  of  flames 
They  girt  with  a  wall,  as  it  most  worthily 
Very  wise  men  might  there  devise. 
They  in  the  mound  placed  rings  and  bright  Jewels 

3165  All  such  precious  things  as  before  in  the  hoard 
Brave-minded  men  had  taken  away. 
They  let  the  earth  hold  the  treasure  of  earls, 
Gold  in  the  ground,  where  it  still  lives 
As  useless  to  men  as  it  before  was. 

3170  Then  'round  the  mound  the  battle-brave  rode, 
Children  of  nobles  (they  were  twelve  in  all) , 
Their  sorrow  would  tell,  grieve  for  theu:  king. 
Their  mourning  utter,  and  about  the  man  speak ; 
His  earlship  they  praised,  and  his  noble  deeds 

3175  They  extolled  to  the  courtiers,  as  it  is  right 
That  one  his  dear  lord  in  word  should  praise. 
With  soul  him  love,  when  he  shall  forth 
From  his  own  body  be  severed  by  death. 
So  then  lamented  the  folk  of  the  Geats 

3180  The  fall  of  their  lord,  the  hearth-companions, 
Said  that  he  was  a  mighty  king, 
Mildest  to  men  and  most  tender-hearted. 
To  his  folk  most  kind  and  fondest  of  praise. 


1-28.]  THE  FIGHT  AT  HNNSBUKG.  97 

THE  FIGHT  AT  FINNSBUKG. 

(See  Beowulf  1068  et  Beqq.,  and  Glossary,  ».  v.  Finn.) 


"Brighter  pinnacles  never  shall  bum." 
Then  spoke  the  young  and  warlike  king : 
"  This  is  not  day  dawning,  nor  flies  here  the  dragon, 
Nor  here  do  this  hall's  pinnacles  burn, 
5  But  here  forth  bear  the  deadly  foes 

Their  ready  equipments,  the  bu-ds  do  sing. 
The  gray  burnie  clinks,  the  war-wood  rattles. 
Shield  answers  shaft.     Now  shines  this  moon, 
Full  moon  *neath  the  clouds :  now  arise  sad  deeds, 

10  Which  will  arouse  this  feud  of  a  folk, 
But  awake  ye  now,  warriors  mine. 
Have  ye  your  hands,  think  upon  valor, 
Go  on  in  front,  be  ye  courageous, 
Mine  own  heroes."    Then  arose  many  a 

15  Gold-laden  thane,  him  girt  with  his  sword : 
Then  to  doors  went  the  lordly  warriors, 
Sigeferth  and  Eaha,  their  swords  drew  forth, 
And  at  other  doors  Ordlaf  and  Guthlaf, 
And  Hengest  himself  went  in  their  tracks. 

20  Then  still  Garulf  Guthhere  admonished, 
That  they  noble  life  for  the  first  time 
To  this  hall's  doors  should  not  bear  in  armor, 
Now  it  the  battle-brave  might  take  away : 
But  he  inquired  o'er  all  unconcealed, 

25  The  valiant  warrior  who  the  door  held : 

*'  Sigeferth  is  my  name :  I  am  the  Secgs'  chief, 
A  widely-known  exile.  Many  woes  I  endured, 
Battles  severe.    That  is  yet  here  determined, 


98  BEOWULF.  [29-61 

Which  of  you  two  wilt  th^'self  seek  for  me." 

30  Then  was  on  the  wall  the  sound  of  slaughters ; 
The  curved  board  should,  in  the  hands  of  the  brave 
The  bone-helm  burst :  the  house-floor  resounded, 
Until  in  this  fight  Garulf  fell  down, 
First  one  of  all  of  these  earth-dwellers, 

85  Son  of  Guthlaf ,  about  him  many  good  ones, 
Corpses  of  warriors.    Wandered  the  raven, 
Black  and  dark-colored  :  the  sword-light  stood, 
As  if  all  Finnsburg  were  set  on  fire. 
Ne'er  heard  I  more  worthily  in  contest  of  men 

40  Sixty  brave  heroes  bear  themselves  better, 
Never  did  j^ouths  sweet  mead  better  pay  for 
Than  to  Hnaef  paid  his  serving-men. 
Bravely  the}'  fought  for  five  of  days, 
Likewise  of  nights,  as  no  one  of  them  fell, 

45  Of  the  lord's  men,  but  they  the  doors  held. 
Then  went  the  wounded  man  on  his  way  going. 
Said  that  his  burnie  was  broken  in  two, 
Brave  in  his  war-dress,  and  his  helm  too  was  pierced 
Then  him  soon  asked  the  herd  of  the  folk, 

50  How  had  the  warriors  then*  wounds  survived, 
Or  which  of  these  youths        •        •        • 


KOTES. 


Chiefly  Translations  of  Heyne's  Variations  from  Grein 
IN  THE  Text  of  his  Fourth  Edition,  1879. 


Abbreviations  :    E.  =  Ettmiiller.     G.  =  Grein.     G.i  =  Grein  in  Biblioihek. 

G.3  =  Grein's  Ms.    Gdtvg.  =  Grundtvig.    H.  =  Heyne.    W.  =  Wiilcker. 

Z.  =  Zupitza.     (1)  and  (2)  =  first  and  second  half-line. 


6  (1)  "  The  earl  sorrow  suffered."    H. 
15  (2)  ..."  while  they  were  priuceless."    H.    W. 
21  (2)  ...  "  'mong  his  father's  friends."    H.    W. 

33  (1)  Literally  "  icy."    Ace.  to  H.,  "  bronze-clad." 

34  (1)  "  Then  did  they  lay."  H.   "  People  "  added  by  G.  W.  as  H. 
49  (1)  "Gave  him  to  the  sea;"    H.    W. 

51  (2)  .  .  ."the  decreeof  fate."    H.    W.  as  G.     Z.  as  H. 
62  E.  suggests  EMgilses  for  Ongenpedwes ;  Gdtvg.  and  Bugge 
take  Elan  as  part  of  Onelan,  which  does  great  violence  to 
the  Ms.  reading.     See  H.'s  note,  and  cf.  Holder,  p.  2,  1.  15. 
Why  not  supply  ceror  or  cerest  instead  of  a  proper  name  ? 
Cf.  3169,  616,  2654.     (See  Additional  Notes.) 
73  (1)  folc-scare  =  properly  "  division  of  a  folk,"  but  here  prob- 
ably "  the  public  land."     See  Arnold's  note. 
82  (1)  "  High  and  wide-gabled."     H. 

84  (2)  H.  adopts  Bugge's  conjecture  WSum-swerian  =  "to  son- 
and  father-in-law,"  i.e.,  lugeld  and  Hrothgar,  which  suits 
the  Ms. ;  s  in  secg  may  have  been  repeated  from  se.    H.  puts 
period  after  85.    W.  and  G.^  as  H. 
131  (1)  "He  suffered  great  grief."    H. 
140  (1)  i.e.,  of  the  fortified  castle. 
149  (2)  . . .  "therefore  was  it  afterwards.**     H.    W. 
163  (2)  ..."  to  and  fro  wander."    H. 

169  (2)  . .  .  "  nor  His  love  did  he  know,"  H.,  taking  his  as  refer- 
ring to  metode,  the  Creator,  rather  than  to  gif-stol,  the 
throne ;  cf .  H.'s  note.     G.^  as  H. 
171  (2)  . . .  "  Very  often  he  sat."    H. 


100  BEOWULF. 

173  (1)  '*  What  for  the  bold-minded."    H. 

176  (1)  H.,  who  has  changed  his  former  view,  says,  *'  nom.  pi.**; 
but  it  must  be  ace.  pi.,  as  G. 

186  (1)  •♦  By  no  means  make  a  change."    H. 

223-4  (2)  .  .  .  "  Then  was  the  sea  sailed  o'er, 

(1)  (Ship)  at  end  of  the  sea."  H.  See  H.'s  note.  If  eoletes 
=  sea,  then  ♦'  ship"  must  be  supplied  to  make  sense.  G.'s 
text  gives  ..."  Then  was  the  sea-voyage 

Of  their  course  at  its  end."  Thorpe  reads  sund-Uda  — 
"sea-sailer."  H.  follows  Kemble.  Neither  H.  nor  G. 
make  anything  satisfactory  out  of  eoletes.  G.^  and  W.  as  H. 

940  (2)  ,  .  .  "  Have  borne  your  helmets."  H.  Prof.  March  sug- 
gests Hro'Sgctr  secean  =  *'  Hrothgar  to  seek,"  which  suits 
well ;  cf.  268,  339 ;  as  would  also  Hrd^gd,r  gretan  =  "  Hroth- 
gar to  greet";  cf.  1646,  2010.     Ms.  shows  no  lacuna. 

247  (1)  maga  =  ''  men,"  G. ;  mctga=**  kinsmen,"  H. 

249  (2)  .  .  .  ♦'  that  is  no  common  man."    H.    See  his  note. 

253  (1)  "  As  visitors  free."    H. 

288  (2)  .  .  .  or,  *'  knowledge  possess." 

299  (1)  "  To  such  a  warrior."    H. 

302  (1)  At  the  rope  rested.    H. 

303  (2)  H.  reads  scidnon,  and  takes  aspraet.  pi.  of  a  reduplicating 

verb,  sctnan  =  *'  to  shine." 
814  H.  puts  ( ; )  after  first  half -line,  and  no  point  at  end  of  line. 
367  "  With  thy  converse  in  turn  to  make  them  glad,  Hrothgar."  H 
389-90  Text  defective,  hence  these  half-lines  added  by  editors, 

though  Ms.  shows  no  lacuna. 
398  (2)  i.e.,  the  result  of  the  interview;  geping=^'  fate." 

403  (2)  This  half-line  added  by  editors,  though  Ms.  shows  no 

lacuna. 

404  (2)  .  .  .  or,  "before  the  throne  stood."    G. 
420  (2)  .  .  .  "  where  I  five  of  them  bound."    H. 

446  (1)  "A  head-guard  provide."    H.,  after  Simrock.     Cf.  H.'s 

note. 
461  (2)  .  .  .  "when  the  kin  of  the  Weders."    H.,  after  Gdtvg. 
489-90  (2)  .  .  .  ♦'  tell  thy  thoughts  to  the  heroes, 

(1)  Thy  presage  of  victory."    H.,  after  MullenhoflT.    Cf. 

H.'s  note. 
648  (1)  '•  Boisterous  opposed  us."    H. 
B86-7  H.  thinks  two  half -lines  omitted  here,  and  so  numbers.    O. 

Inserts  /e?a  =  "much"  in  2d  half -line. 


NOTES.  101 

699  (2) .  .  .  "  but  be  in  joy  figbtetn.**    H. 

601  (2)  omit  "  I,"  and  603  (1)  omit  "  in."    H. 

611  (2)  Lit.,  "  tbe  noise  resoimded."    H. 

647*  and  647^  inserted  by  G.     H.  omits  botb  lines,  and  in  648 

inserts  ne  before  meahton,  hence  translate,  "After  that  they 

sun-light  might  not  see,"  and  takes  o^^e,  649,  =  **  and,"  after 

Bugge.     Cf.  H.'s  note.    G.^  and  W.  as  H. 
652  (1)  "  Greeted  in  speeches."    H. 
668  (2)  i.e.,  ♦'  offered  himself  for  watch  against  the  eoten."    G. ; 

♦'  offered  to  the  eoten  a  watcher."    H. 
678  (2)  i.e.,  than  Grendel  counts  himself. 
681  (1)  G.  takes  goda  =  "advantages  in  battle";  H.  =  "art  of 

fighting  as  a  warrior."    Cf.  H.'s  note.    Why  may  it  not 

mean  the  arms  themselves? 
719  (1)  "  A  bolder  warrior,"  H.,  but  G.  plural,  which  suits  better. 
729  (1)  "  A  friendly  band  sleeping."    H.     Cf.  387. 
736  (2)  .  .  .  ^*  Great  sorrow  saw."    H.     Cf.  131. 
741  (2)  .  .  .  **  him  tore  unawares."    H. 
755  (1)  i.e.,  he  thought  his  hour  had  come. 
769  (1)  "  For  earls  ale-terror."     H.     Lit.  "  ale-robbery."     So  W. 
780  (1)  i.e.,  "with  ornaments  of  bone-work,"  or  "with  the  stag's 

antlers."     H. 
783  (1)  "  Startling  enough."     H. 

801  (2)  H.  inserts  pcet.     W.  as  G.,  but  (:)  after  "  soul." 
804  i.e.,  by  magical  spells  had  made  himself  invulnerable. 
811  (2)  H.  inserts  wees,  and  reads  as  parenthesis. 
827  (1)  H.  puts  period  at  end  of  this  half-line. 
836  (1)  H.  puts  mark  of  parenthesis  )  after  "  Grendel."     So  W. 

849  (1)  "  With  hot  gore  boiled."    H. 

850  (1)  "  The  doomed-to-death  hid  himself."     H. 

875  (1)  G.  reads  Sigemundes,  but  Ms.  Sigemunde.    W.  as  G. 

900,  902  H.  puts  (,)  after  900  and  (.)  after  902  (l).     On  Eotenum, 

902  (2),  see  Glossary,  s.v.  Jutes,  and  note. 
915  (2)  .  .  .  "him,"  i.e.,  Heremod;  "he,"  913,  i.e.,  Beowulf. 
1031  "Bosses  wire-wound  were  keeping  without."    H.    W. 
1033  (1)  "In  fight  hardened."     H.     G.,  after  Rieger. 

1069  "The  hero  of  Healfdene,  Hnaef  the  Scylding."    H.,  who 
begins  the  episode  of  Finn  with  this  line. 

1070  (1)  The  name  illegible  in  Ms.     Cf.  Holder,  p.  25,  1. 16.  W.,  Z. 
1118  (2)  ...  "  the  warrior  arose."    H.,  who  puts  period.     So  W. 
1124  (2)  , .  .  "gone  was  their  strength."    H.,  i.e..  the  men  them- 
selves. 


102  BEOWULF. 

1129  (1)  "All  united."   H.,  who  inserts  ealles;  see  Ms  note.   CI 

1097. 
1143-4  *'  When  Hunlafing,  the  battle-sword, 

Best  of  weapons,  he  placed  on  his  breast."    H.,  who 

refers  to  Rieger.     See  Glossary. 
1162-68  Measure  varied  on  account  of  the  long  lines  of  the  poem 

here,  in  1705-7,  and  in  2996-6. 
1224  (1)  **  The  wiudy  walls."   H.     "  The  windy  earth-walls."  W. 
1226  (2)  ...  "Be  thou  to  my  son."     H.    W. 
1257  (1)  H.  puts  (,)  here,  and  (;)  after  1258  (l).     So  W. 
1267  (1)  *'  Sword-accursed,  hated."    H. 
1278  (2)  .  .  .  ♦<  her  son's  death  to  avenge."    H. 
1287  (2)  .  .  .  "  cleaves   when   they    meet."      H. ;    andweard  = 

"present." 
1291  (2)  ...  "  whom  terror  seized."    H. 

ia20  (1)  i.e.,  as  Beowulf  had  courteously  bid  him  ♦♦  Good-night." 
1338  (1)  i.e.,  having  forfeited  his  life. 
1392  (2)  .  .  .  Grendel's  mother  is  referred  to  as  either  masculiue 

or  feminine.    Cf.  1260  et  al. 
1454  (1)  "Fire  nor  war-swords."    H.    See  H.'s  Glossary,  s.v. 

brand. 
1486  (2)  ...  •*  pre-eminently  good."    H. 
1508  (2)  .  .  .  *«  he  had  courage  for  that."    H.,  as  parenthesis. 
1583  (1)  i.e.,  another  such  number,  fifteen  more. 
1634  (2)  .  .  .  "the  kingly-bold  men."    H.,  as  Ms. 
1637  (1)  H.  puts  (  : )  after  this  half-line,  and  no  point  after  1636. 
1649  H.  puts  ( : )  at  end  and  no  point  in  1650 ;  hence  = 

"  The  wonderful  sight  the  warriors  gazed  on."    So  W. 
1691  (1)  '^  Rashly  they  acted."    H. 

1705  (2)  .  .  .  "  with  firmness  thou  boldest  it  all."  H.   Cf.  1162-68. 
1723-69.    This  moralizing  speech  of  Hrothgar's  is  considered  by 

some  an  interpolation.    It  is  all  omitted  by  E.  except  1758-9, 

which  follow  1722. 
1724  i.e.,  about  Heremod,  from  whose  conduct  the  moral  is  drawn. 
1728  (1)  •*  Sometimes  on  possessions."    H.    G.  has  no  word  lufa 

=  •♦  landed  property."    It  suits  the  sense  much  better  than 

ZM/e="love." 
1731  (1)  "  A  royal  city."    H. 
1747  (1)  worn,  adj.,  G. ;  worn,  n.,  H. ;  hence,  *'  From  evil  by  th' 

strange-orders." 
1767  (2)  .  .  . ««  cares  not  for  terror."    H. 


NOTES.  103 

1802-3  (2)  .  .  .  "Then  came  the  bright  sun 

(1)  Gliding  over  the  ground ; "    H.    Ms.  shows  no  lacuna, 

but  some  words  needed.    Cf.  Holder,  p.  41,  1.  23.  W.  as  H. 
1870  (1)  G.  inserts  cit^lice="'  kindly,"  but  without  Ms.  authority. 
1873  (2)  i.e.,  of  his  return,  and  of  seeing  him  again.     Cf.  1869. 
1880-1  (2)  .  .  .  "  secretly  longeth 

(1)  The  hero  'gainst  blood."    H.,  i.e.,  for  one  not  related 

by  blood  to  him. 
1896  (1)  ♦♦  The  shining  visitors."    H. 
1925-6  (2)  .  .  .  '« the  king  strong-in-might, 

(1)  High  in  the  hall."    H. 
1931-2  (2)  .  .  .  "  Thrytho  showed  pride, 

The  great  folk-queen,  wrought  terrible  deeds."    H. 

Thrytho  seems  better  than  Modthrytho  for  the  name  of 

Offa's  queen.     See  Glossary  and  H.'s  note.    Mod  and  pry'So 

separated  in  Ms. 
1936  (1)  ♦♦  But  she  laid  upon  him."    H. 
1939  (1)  "  So  that  hostile  sword."     H.    With  moste  begins  the 

second  hand  in  the  Ms. 

1944  (1)  G.,  071  hoh  snod.    H.,  onhohsnode^  but  with  same  mean- 
ing.   No  e  in  Ms. 

1945  (2)  .  .  .  "  said  one  to  another."    H.   Cf.  870. 
1981  (1)  G.  inserts  he6,  =  ''  high."     W.  omits  it. 
2009  (1)  "  By  fen  surrounded."    H. 

2021  (1)  i.e.,  at  the  end  of  the  seats,  the  noblest  warriors.    H, 
2029-31  (2)  .  .  .  ♦♦  Often  not  seldom 


(1)  The  deadly  spear  rests."    H.,  who  inserts  no  in  2029. 
2030  (1)  "  After  prince's  fall."    H.,  i.e.,  after  the  death  of  Froda, 

king  of  the  Heathobards.    Cf.  2391. 
2035  i.e.,  that  a  noble  Dane  should  protect  his  queen,  Freaware. 
2035  (2)  .  .  .  ♦'  the  nobles  should  serve :  "    H. 
2051  (2)  .  .  .  "  when  recompense  failed."    H.,  who  does  not  take 

W'tSergyld  as  proper  name,  and  includes  in  parenthesis  2051 

(2)  and  2052  (1). 
2062  (1)  ♦*  Escape  alive."    H.    W.  as  G.    Z.  as  H. 
2069  This  digression  about  Ingeld,  put  into  BeowulTs  mouth, 

reads  as  an  anachronism. 
2076  (1)  Hondscid  now  recognized  by  G.  and  H.  as  proper  name, 

though  not  so  regarded  in  their  translations.    H.  takes  it 

as  dative,  but  hild=  "battle,"  as  nom. :  "There  was  to 

Hondscio  battle  destructive." 


104  BEOWULF. 

2131  (2)  .  .  ,  **  by  thy  consent.**    H. 

2147  (2)  .  .  .  *'  at  his  own  will.**    H. 

2152  (2)  H.  puts  (,)  after  eafor  =  **  boar.** 

2170  (1)  Properly,  first-cousin. 

2187  (1)  "  They  said  very  often.'*    H. 

2196  i.e.,  sceattas.    A  sceat^  according  to  Bosworth,  was  ^  of  a 

pening  and  ^  of  a  scylUng :  perhaps  =  between  one  and  two 

cents. 

2199  (2)  i.e.,  to  Hygelac,  the  reigning  king. 

2200  (1)  i.e.,  the  possession  of  the  kingdom,  repeated  in  2207. 
An  unskilful  joining  of  the  story  of  Grendel  to  that  of  the 
dragon. 

2201  (1)  ♦'  To  the  fierce  warriors.**    H.,  i.e.,  the  Geats.    Cf.  2351. 

2216-31  Ms.  much  injured  in  this  passage.  Translation  accord- 
ing to  G.'s  emendations,  which,  however,  will  not  all  suit 
the  Ms. 

2220-21  •♦  The  prince,"  i.e.,  Beowulf:  "  he,"  i.e.,  the  dragon. 

2224  (2)  H.  reads  pe6w  =  ♦'  slave,'*  instead  of  t^egn  =  "  thane,'* 
which  would  suit  well,  but  Holder  gives  pegn  plainly  in  Ms. 
Othw  emendations  of  H.  will  not  suit  Holder's  reprint  of 
the  Ms. 

2228  (1)  "  The  stranger,**  i.e.,  the  fugitive  who  took  refuge  in 
the  dragon's  cave. 

2246  (2)  .  .  .  "a  few  words  spoke."  H.  G.  has  fee-word  = 
"banning  words,"  and  refers  to  H.,  but  suggests  fed 
wor(Za="  few  words."  H.,  however,  adopts  fed  worda  in 
his  4th  edition,  although  Holder  gives /ec  worda  as  Ms. 
reading.     So  Z. 

2253  (1)  "  Or  bring  the  cup."    H.    W. 

2268  (2)  .  .  .  "miserable  wept  he."    H.    W. 

2276  (1)  "  Cave  under  the  earth,"  H.,  which  is  better.  Ms.  cor- 
rupt.    W.  as  H. 

2288  (1)  "  He  snuffed  o'er  the  stone."    H. 

2297-8  (2)  .  .  .  "not  there  any  man 

(1)  Was  on  this  waste."     H.,  which  suits  Ms.  better. 

2330  (1)  i.e.,  the  ten  commandments.     H. 

2351  (1)  *'  The  warrior  bold."     H.     Cf.  2201. 

2361  (2)  H.  omits  *'  and  one,"  and  places  (.  .  .).  Holder  shows 
no  lacuna.  In  3d  ed.  H.  gives  emendations  of  Gdtvg.,  G., 
and  Rieger,  and  in  4th  ed.  that  of  Bugge. 

2391  (2)  .  .  .  "for  that  prince's  fall."    H.,  i.e.,  Heardred.    Cf.  2030. 


NOTES.  105 

2393  a)  "  To  the  helpless  a  foe.  With  an  army  he  went."  H. 
See  Glossary  and  H.'s  note.  Miillenhoff  and  Bugge  support 
G.     Holder  gives /re(5w<2  plainly.     So  does  Z. 

2395-6  •♦  he,"  i.e.,  Eadgils;  "  the  king,"  i.e.,  Onela. 
(2)  .  .  .  "he  after  avenged  it 

(1)  With  cold  care-journeys."  H. ;  "he,"  i.e.,  Beowulf; 
"the  king,"  i.e.,  Eadgils,  the  "care- journeys"  being  Beo- 
wulf's expedition  against  Eadgils. 

2475  H.  takes  o«5e  =  "and,"  after  Bugge ;  cf.  649.  On  this  line 
cf.  also  note  to  2930-32. 

2490  (1)  i.e.,  to  Hrethel,  mentioned  above,  2474  and  2430. 

2501  (1)  "  When  with  my  might."  H.,  who  puts  comma  after  2500. 

2525  "  Flee  from  a  foot's  length,  the  monster  foe."    H. 

2538  (1)  "  Arose  then  by  his  shield."    H. 

2544  (1)  "  The  fighter  bold."    H.     Cf.  2201,  2351. 

2545  (1)  "  He  stood  on  stony  arch."    H.,  as  parenthesis. 
2566  (2)  .  .  .  "  against  the  stout  shield."    H. 

2570  (1)  "Hastening  forwards."  H.,  after  Mullenhoff;  see  H.'s 
note. 

2574-5  "  Was  to  proceed  as  Weird  did  not  permit, 
(1)  In  battle  renowned."    H. 

2577  (1)  Text  as  H.  G.  says:  "  Perhaps,  with  Thorpe,  to  read, 
*  With  the  sword  of  Ing,'  a  king  of  the  Danes."  (See  Addi- 
tional Notes.) 

2586  (2)  .  .  .  "  That  was  no  pleasant  way."    H. 

2613  **  To  the  friendless  the  vengeance  of  Weohstan  the  slayer.'  H. 

2638-41  (2)  .  .  .  "therefore  he  us  chose 


To  glory  us  urged,  and  gave  me  these  treasures, 

(1)  Because  he  us  deemed."    H. 
2660  (1)  "  Burnie  and  shield-sign."    H. 
2687  (1)  "  The  wondrous-sharp  weapon."    H. 
2765-66  (2)  .  .  .  "  each  one  of  mankind 

Cause  to  be  proud,  guard  himself  he  who  will."    H. 

G.  supplies  ^or<Z  ="  hoard,"  in  2766  and  takes  gehwone^ 

"  each"  with  it,  but  H.'s  reading  seems  better.    Ms.  shows 

no  lacuna.    W.  as  G. 
2769  (1)  "  Wrought  with  link-work."    H. 
2777-79  (2)  .  .  . ;  "  the  bill  before  felled 


Him  who  of  these  treasures."  H.,  I.e.,  Beowulf s  sword 
killed  the  dragon,  ealdhlQfordeS'^'^  of  the  old  lord,"  refer- 
ring to  Beowulf.     See  H.'s  note. 


106  BEOWULF. 

2781  "  Hot  for  the  hoard,  the  fierce  flghter-in  air."    H. 

2792  (2)  This  half-line  inserted  by  editors,  though  Ms.  shows  no 
omission. 

2800  (2)  .  .  .  ''ye*'  refers  to  Wiglaf  alone. 

2824  (1)  *♦  Helpless  become."    H. 

2857  (2)  .  .  .  "with  aught  reverse."  H.  G.  omits «n*^^=  "aught," 
though  contained  in  Ms. ;  both  G.  and  H.  insert  toillan. 

2881  (2)  .  .  .  "the  fire  less  strongly."     H.    W.  as  G.    Z.  as  H. 

2886  (1)  "  Possessions  shall  fall."    H.     lufen  =--  lufa  ;  cf .  1728. 

2909  (1)  "For  the  weary-in-thought."    H.,  i.e.,  dead. 

2930-32  Arnold  thinks  these  lines  "make  no  sense  in  their  present 
context,"  and  with  line  2475,  where  o^Se  is  changed  to  pa 
pc,  should  follow  line  2478,  but  we  cannot  so  emend  "  Beo- 
wulf," and  his  explanation  of  the  incidents  will  not  answer. 
See  Glossary,  s.v.  Ongentheow. 

2973  (1)  "he,"  i.e.,  Ongentheow,  and  2974  0)  "he,"  I.e.,  Wulf. 

2977  (1)  "  The  brave  thane,"  i.e.,  Eofor,  brother  of  Wulf. 

2978  (1)  "His  own  broad  sword,"  H.,  as  accus.,  which  seems 
better.    W.  as  H.     Z.  as  G. 

2984  H.  puts  period  after  this  line ;  hence  translate  "  Meanwhile  " 

for  "Whilst"  in  2985. 
2990  (1)  "  Gifts  'fore  his  people."    H. 
2994  (2)  l.e.,  sceattas  worth.    Cf.  2196. 
2995-6  For  the  long  measure  cf.  1162-68  and  1705-7. 
3005  (2)  Ms.  Scildingasy  but  both  G.  and  H.  read  Scylflngas,  which 

makes  better  sense.    Mlillenhofi",  however,  thinks  the  line 

a  mere  thoughtless  repetition  of  2052;  cf.  H.'s  note,   hwate 

Scylflngas  may  be  taken  as  parenthesis,  referring  back  to 

8001. 
3030  (1)  i.e.,  his  predictions. 
3041  (1)  "The  terrible  stranger.**    H. 
3056  (2)  .  .  .  "He  is  man's  protector."    H.,  as  parenthesis. 
3061  (1)  "  Some  one  of  few."    H.,  i.e.,  "  some  few." 
3076(1)  "The    Creator's    favor,"  H.,  which  is  better,  taking 

" he,"  3074,  as  referring  to  Beowulf,  with  CO  after  3074  (i). 

Cf.  H.'s  note. 
3084  a)  "  We  endured  a  hard  fate : "  H.,  with  period  after  3083. 
3086  (1)  "  Which  that  ruler."    H.     Ms.  shows  no  lacuna. 
3104  (2)  "  That  ye  may  enough  see  near  at  hand.*"     H.,  after 

Gdtvg.  and  Bugge. 
B129  (2)  i.e.,  by  no  means  did  any  one  sorrow. 


NOTES.  107 

3150-56  Ms.  much  injured:  translation  according  to  G.'s  emen- 
dations, but  3155  (1)  and  3156  (l)  are  left  blank  by  G.  H. 
differs,  but  nothing  to  be  made  of  the  passage. 

3161  (2)  . . .  «'  the  best  of  flames."    H.    Ms.  corrupt.     W.  as  H. 


THE  FIGHT  AT  FINNSBURG. 

1  (1)  Emended  by  G. 

5  (2)  and  6  (i)  added  by  G.  to  complete  the  sense.    In  5  (i)  H. 

has  fer,  as  in  G.'s  Bibliothekj  hence  "  But  assault  bear 

forth." 

12  (1)  *'  Hold  up  your  hands."    H. 

13  (1)  "  Fight  ye  in  front."    H. 

14  (1)  Added  by  G. 

19  H.  puts  ( ; )  after  "  himself,"  hence  supply  "  he." 

31  (2)  «♦  The  keeled  board  should,"  H.,  i.e.,  the  shield. 

36  (1)  "Wounded  men  tumbled."     H.     lacra,  from  Z5c="sau- 

cius  "  in  G.'s  Glossary  to  the  Bibliothek :  not  given  by  H. 
43  (1)  "  Bravely,"  and  44  (D  added  by  G.     Omitted  by  W. 

H.'s  text  varies  but  little  from  G.'s  in  the  Bibliothek^  whereas  G., 
in  his  edition  of  "Beowulf,"  has  made  several  emendations. 
H.  omits  in  his  Glossary  several  words,  and  all  the  proper 
names,  peculiar  to  this  fragment,  even  in  his  4th  edition. 
It  lacks  the  care  bestowed  upon  **  Beowulf." 


ADDITIONAL   NOTES  TO  FINNSBURG. 

22  Gdtvg.  assumes  lacuna  of  a  half-line,  and  Rieger  of  a  whole 

line,  after  22.     W. 
26  Insert  "quoth  he"  after  "name."    H.    W.    G. 
43  Rieger  inserts  one  line  after  43,  as  follows  : 

"  (Warded  off  the  Frisians,  suffered  distress.)"   W.  as  H. 


108  BEOWULF. 


ADDITIONAL    NOTES   TO  BEOWULF. 

24  (1)  "  May  lieges  lead."    H. 

60  (2)  W.  reads  roeswa  as  nom.,  referring  to  Heorogar.     So  Z. 
62  W.  reads  "  pcei  .  .  .  wees  Onelan  cwen" ;    G.^,  "pcet  Onelan 
cwen  . . .  hatte"  Ms.  shows  no  lacuna  between  pcet  and  elan. 
139  (2)  W.  inserts  rymde  =  "rest  for  him  prepared." 
1G9  (1)  "  Before  the  Creator."    G.^ 
181  (2)  "The  Lord  God  they  knew  not."     H.    W.     G.^ 
240  (2)  W.  reads  hringedstefnan  =  "  the  curved  prow." 
303(2)-305  W.  reads,  after  Bugge,  in  303  Eofor  lioscionon  (dat. 
sing,  of  adj.),  and  in  S05  ferhwearde,  hence  = 
..."  The  boar  for  the  shining  one 


.  .  .  was  keeping  life-guard." 
490  0-)  W.  as  G.,  but  G.^  sigehrefS  secgum  = 

"  The  heroes,  victorious  one,"  i.e.,  Beowulf. 
607  (2)  ...  "in  swimming  contended."    H.    W.    G.^ 
615-16  .  .  .  "the  sea  welled  with  waves, 

With  winter's  flood."    H. 
684  (1)  "  From  sword  refrain."    H. 

706  (2)  Or,  "  since"  for  >'  whom." 

707  (1)  "The  ceaseless  foe."    H.    W.    Cf.  801. 

749  (2)  i.e.,  Beowulf  sat  supported  on  his  own  arm.    G.    H. 

801  (2)  . . .  "  the  ceaseless  foe."    H.    W.    Cf.  707. 

897  (2)  ..."  the  worm  hot  melted."    H.    W. 

900  (2)  .  . .  (that  he  ere  undertook).     H. 

902  (1)  W.  reads  ear/o'S  =  "  misery,"  but  eq/b'S  =  "strength"  is 
better. 

1032  (1)  fela  ld,fe  =  "  leavings  of  files,"  hence  "  swords."  Ms.  laf. 
Cf.  2829. 

1107  (2)  E.  has  given  the  best  explanation  of  icge.  He  reads  ycge, 
and  says  :  ' '  ^cg  (also  ecg,  leg,  is  found)  means  insula  ;  but 
gold  of  the  island  is  dragon-gold,  hoard-gold."  For  another 
example  of  eg  =  g,  cf .  Ms.  2893,  ecgclif  =  eg-clif. 

1135  (1)  Lit.  "those  which  ever  observe,"  without  (.).   G.  H.  W. 

1193  (2)  i.e.,  gold  wrought  in  the  form  of  rings.    Cf .  1382  and  3134. 

1213  (,)  after  gw^sceare  and  not  after  Uode.  H.  (,)  after  1212 
and  not  in  1213.     W. 


NOTES.  109 

1225  (1)  "A  happy  prince."     H. 

1285  (1)  i.e.,  "a  sword  inlaid  with  gold,  or  wound  with  gold- 
chains."    G. 
1320  (1)  Lit.  "in  accordance  with  his  courteous  'Good-night.'" 
1363  (2)  W.  reads  hrimge,  "rimy,"  for  hrinde,  Ms.  and  eds.,  = 

"  dead."    G. 
1372  (2)  .  .  .  ''  that's  no  secure  place."     H. 
1488  (1)  W.  takes  Hunfer^  as  vocative  ;    hence,  read  "  a "  for 

second  "the"  in  1489. 
1512  (1)  •'  They  harassed  the  hero."    H. 
1537  (2)  .  .  .  "(shrank  he  not  from  the  contest)."    H. 
1541  (2)  ..."  a  reward  repaid."     H. 
1604-5  Rather,  "  they  neither  knew  nor  thought  that  they  were 

looking  on  their  dear  lord  himself." 
1616  (1)  "The  drawn  sword  burnt."     H.     So  1667. 
1737  (2)  .  .  .  "nor  strife  anywhere."     H.     - 
1807-8  (,)  after  "  bear"  and  after  "Ecglaf."  H.     (,)  after  "bear" 

but  not  after  "  Ecglaf."    W. 
1816  No  punctuation  mark  after  "man";  hence  omit  "he."   W. 
1894-5  Uodum,  H.,  W. ;  hence  insert  "to"  after  "welcome,"  and 

erase  commas. 
1923  (2)  .  .  .  "  there  at  home  dwells."     H.     • 
1943  (1)  "  For  insult  assumed."     H. 
2029  (2)  W.  inserts  no,  as  H.,  and  says  that  no  may  have  stood  in 

the  Ms.     Z.  says  not. 
2061  (1)  i.e.,  having  forfeited  his  life. 
2157  W.  as  G.,  but  Z.  rightly  reads  est,  not  eft;  hence  translate, 

"that  I  of  his  favor."    H.  does  not  insert  or  as  G.,  but 

takes  oerest  as  neut.  subst.  =  "  first  condition." 
2217-20  On  this  corrupt  passage  W.  remarks :    "  The  dragon 

could  not  avenge  the  theft,  for  he  lay  there  put  to  sleep  by 

the  art  [i.e.,  the  magic  art]  of  the  servant." 
2231  (1)  "A  vessel  bright."     W. 
2275-6  W.  as  H.     Z.  supplies : 

' '  Very  much  dread.     He  shall  seek  for 

"  The  hoard  in  the  earth." 
2305  (1)  "  The  evil  one  would."    H.,  after  Bugge,  but  contrary  to 

Ms.     G.  adds  leoda. 
2361  "  He  alone  thirty  had  on  his  arm."     W.  as  G.i  and  Bugge. 
2387  (2)  Properly,  grandson,  i.e.,  Eadgils. 
2456  (2)  .  .  .  "  the  rest-place  of  winds."    H. 


110  BEOWULF. 

2468  (2)  .  .  .  "  since  woe  him  befell."     H. 

2521  (1)  "  His  boasting  check."     G.     Text  as  H. 

2523  (1)  "  Fierce  heat  oppressive."     H.    W.  as  G.     Z.  as  H. 

2576  (2)  "  Struck  the  frightfully  bright  one."     H. 

2577  incgelafe  is  one  word  in  Ms.,  at  beginning  of  a  line.  Read 
sinc-gelafe  =  "with  the  treasure-sword,"  i.e.,  precious  or 
costly  sword ;  s  may  have  stood  at  end  of  2576,  and  we 
might  arrange  :  sloh  sinc-gelctfe,  pcet  sio  ecg  gewctc.  Cf.  2679 ; 
also  ma'S^um-sweord,  1023,  sinc-ma^^um,  2193,  and  sinc- 
gestreona,  1226.  gelaf  is  not  found,  but  many  analogous 
forms  exist,  as  gelcic,  gelM,  gestreon,  &c.  If  this  reading  is 
correct,  we  need  no  longer  seek  an  explanation  for  a  hypo- 
thetical incge. 

2619  (2)  "his,"  i.e.,  Onela's. 

2667  (1)  Literally,  "  His  old  merits  were  not." 

2698  (2)  . .  .  '*  when  his  kinsman  he  helped."    H. 

2869  (2)  .  .  .  "  such  as  anywhere  best."  H.,  referring  to  the  armor. 

3006  (1)  o^'^e  may  be  translated  *'  and  "  here,  as  in  649  and  2475. 
Cf.  H.'s  note  to  647. 

3062-65  H.  gives  Bugge's  reading  and  explanation  of  this  pas- 
sage, which  may  be  translated : 

.  .  .  *'  By  a  wondrous  death 

Let  a  warlike  earl  the  end  then  approach, 

Of  his  life-fate,  when,"  &c. 

8134  (1)  Cf.  note  on  1193  (2). 

3175  (1)  "  They  highly  extolled."    H. 

3181  (2)  ..."  of  mighty  kings."    W. 


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